Talks on Syria’s Future Fall Short of Expectations, Participants Say
The two-day “national dialogue” in Damascus, aimed at creating an inclusive political process, ended with many attendees disappointed. The conference, meant to be a step toward establishing a representative government, failed to meet expectations. Instead, it raised concerns about the openness of Syria’s new Islamist rulers to forming an inclusive political process.
Ibrahim Draji, a law professor at Damascus University, attended the conference. He criticized the lack of transparency and unclear criteria for invitations. “We have a lot of objections to how this happened,” Draji said. “There’s no transparency. There is no clear criteria for who gets invited.”
When the conference opened on Monday, many participants were hopeful. They believed they were about to help shape Syria’s political future. The rebels, who had ousted the Assad regime, promised to establish a government that represented all Syrians. This conference was supposed to be the first step toward a more inclusive future. However, invitations were sent out hastily, just a day or two before it began. Although community leaders, academics, and religious figures attended, key groups like the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led militia were excluded.
The conference ended on Tuesday night with a set of recommendations. These included calls for respecting personal freedoms and women’s rights. However, these recommendations were not binding. It was unclear what impact, if any, they would have on the new government. The lack of concrete actions left many wondering about the future of the political process.
Syria is going through a period of significant transition after decades of rule by the Assad family. Ahmed al-Shara, the interim president, now leads this transition. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, played a key role in toppling Bashar al-Assad. Al-Shara faces many challenges as he attempts to rebuild Syria. The country’s social fabric and economy were torn apart by over a decade of civil war.
Despite calls for an inclusive political process, the hastily organized conference showed the competing priorities al-Shara faces. He needs international recognition quickly. The new government is under pressure to reflect Syria’s ethnic and religious diversity. This is key to lifting sanctions that have crippled the country’s economy. Many international actors, including the European Union, have indicated that they will provide some relief. But they have conditioned this on the creation of an inclusive government. If the new government is seen as exclusionary, the sanctions relief could be reversed.
The urgency to form a government quickly has led to rushed efforts like this conference. Some Syrians, who hoped for a new democratic era, are now disappointed by the slow pace of change. Though it is now possible to voice political dissent—something that was once unthinkable under the Assad regime—many Syrians have lowered their expectations. “It feels like there’s been a downgrading of their initial promises,” said Ibrahim al-Assil, a Syrian adjunct professor of political science at George Washington University. “What happened was even more underwhelming than the moderate expectations.”
Still, some Syrians are hopeful. Dana Shubat, a 30-year-old ophthalmologist in Damascus, remains cautiously optimistic. “We haven’t been involved in political life for over 50 years,” she said. “At least the people have the opportunity, even if it’s small, to voice our opinions on the government.”
Hassan al-Daghim, a spokesman for the event’s preparatory committee, defended the conference. He said it was only the beginning of an ongoing process aimed at political inclusion. He promised that future sessions would involve a broader range of experts. However, neither the preparatory committee nor al-Shara have outlined a detailed plan for continuing the dialogue, drafting a new constitution, or creating a system of transitional justice.
Al-Shara himself made it clear that Syria’s political process would not mirror the democratic ideals many had hoped for. He called for Syrians to “stand together in unity” and help rebuild their nation. But he also emphasized that the country’s unique situation should shape its political system. “Leaders should not import systems that do not align with the country’s situation,” he said. “Just as you accept this victory from us, I kindly ask that you also accept the methods used to achieve it.”
To many, these comments suggested that the new government would be more controlled and centralized than initially promised. The new chapter in Syria’s political history would be inclusive, but it might fall short of the democratic reforms many had hoped for.
The conference also condemned Israel’s recent military actions in southern Syria. Israel launched airstrikes on military targets near Damascus. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said his country would not allow Syrian forces to operate in the south of Syria. It remains unclear how Syria’s new leadership will respond.
The next big challenge for Syria’s new leadership will be forming a caretaker government. This government will administer the country until elections can be held. The structure of this government will offer crucial insights into Syria’s political future. Will it include representatives from across Syrian society, or will it be dominated by al-Shara and his allies? The answers to these questions will show whether Syria can build a more inclusive, democratic government or continue down an authoritarian path.
Haneen Ahmad, a political and human rights activist in Damascus, said, “The makeup of the caretaker government will send a crucial message. It will reflect the current regime’s willingness to be open and work with all Syrians.”
