The Weiser Diplomacy Center hosted a talk on Syria’s reconstruction featuring Qutaiba Idlbi and Dr. Abdalmajid Katranji. They discussed the aftermath of the Syrian civil war, the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the challenges ahead, including the effects of U.S. sanctions. They emphasized the need for supportive international involvement in Syria’s rebuilding efforts.
The University of Michigan’s Weiser Diplomacy Center recently hosted a discussion featuring Qutaiba Idlbi from the Atlantic Council and Dr. Abdalmajid Katranji from Michigan State University. The talk centered on the reconstruction of Syria following 14 years of civil war, examining current state-building strategies and the challenges facing the nation.
On December 8, 2024, the regime of Bashar al-Assad collapsed, leading to the ascendancy of Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, head of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham based in Idlib. Idlbi emphasized the extensive devastation resulting from the civil war, highlighting issues such as a significant brain drain resulting from the mass exodus of educated individuals.
“There’s a lot for Syrians to rebuild; half of Syria has left the country,” Idlbi remarked regarding the grim reality. Moreover, he underscored that despite the destruction, Syrians find joy in their newfound freedom from Assad’s authoritarian regime. “They are still high on joy and happiness that they finally got their country back,” he added.
Both Idlbi and Katranji refuted criticisms of Sharaa in the West regarding his past affiliations, asserting that he has severed ties with Al-Qaeda and now fights against terrorist factions. Katranji spoke of successful humanitarian relief efforts in Idlib where civic structures emerged, contrasting this with the chaotic governance in Assad-controlled areas.
“There was structure, there were institutions and that’s what’s critical to understand,” Katranji noted, signifying the effectiveness of local governance in Idlib compared to the regime’s inefficiency. This contrast caught his attention during aid efforts after an earthquake in regime-held territories, where the absence of proper systems led to complications in rescue operations.
Idlbi remarked that the Syrian civil war, while disastrous, inadvertently fostered the development of self-governing institutions among citizens, contrasting it to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which failed to establish a functional replacement for the Ba’ath party. “In Syria, there was a gap where Syrians were able to come together. They already started nation building,” he stated.
In discussing the role of the United States, Idlbi expressed hope for American involvement in Syria’s reconstruction, advocating for supportive engagement without imposing directives on the Syrian populace. “Do they need our support? Absolutely,” he declared, affirming their right to reconstruct their society as they envision it.
Katranji criticized ongoing U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, arguing that they hinder progress, particularly in light of the regime’s collapse. “If you wait too long, then another vacuum will be created,” he cautioned, advocating for prompt sanction removal to facilitate reconstruction efforts.
“The next three months are absolutely critical in which we can engage our civic leadership here in the United States,” he urged, reflecting a growing consensus among international bodies to alleviate sanctions. Art & Design senior Razaan Killawi, co-president of Students Organize for Syria, acknowledged the importance of such events in fostering student awareness about Syria, emphasizing the need for genuine on-the-ground reporting.
The discussion at the Weiser Diplomacy Center highlighted the complex landscape of post-civil war reconstruction in Syria, underscored by significant challenges including a massive brain drain and the need for structural support. Both experts advocated for a nuanced view of the new Syrian leadership while expressing concerns over continued sanctions that hinder recovery efforts. They called for a supportive yet non-intrusive role for the United States in the rebuilding process, emphasizing the necessity of civic engagement and information dissemination among the student body.
Original Source: www.michigandaily.com
