The DeFacto Dialogue Platform has officially joined the cooperative network of the Levant and Iraq Forum, which brings together regional think tanks and research centers to promote peace and stability through dialogue and collaboration.
The DeFacto participated in the Forum’s inaugural meeting, held at the University of Jordan in Amman on June 1–2. The event was organized by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) in partnership with a number of regional and international research institutions.
DeFacto Executive Director Sherwan Youssef and Senior Advisor Zozan Alloush, alongside experts, academics, and policymakers from 16 research institutions across Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and other countries presented the forum.
One of the forum’s key sessions, titled “A New Syria: A Central Axis for the Levant and Iraq”, was moderated by Delawer Ala’ al-deen, President of the MERI Foundation.
The session featured Syrian and international experts who discussed Syria’s ongoing political, economic, and social transformations and their implications for the region.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for a decentralized governance model that respects Syria’s diversity while preserving national unity.
Zozan Alloush highlighted the pressing need for constitutional solutions that ensure pluralism and fair representation of all Syrian communities, particularly in the context of northeastern Syria, where centralized governance models have proven ineffective.
Ahmad Mehidi from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue underscored the growing fears among various Syrian communities about exclusion and insecurity after years of conflict.
Another panel, titled “Political and Security Dynamics in the Middle East: What Future Do We Seek?”, focused on the role of external actors in supporting regional stability and shifting from conflict to cooperation and trust-building.
The Levant and Iraq Forum seeks to foster peace efforts among the region’s peoples and states, aiming to build a shared future founded on sustainable stability and development.
