During their participation in the MERI Forum in Erbil on October 7–8, Sherwan Youssef, head of the Qamishli-based DeFacto Dialogue Platform, and Zozan Alloush, Advisor at DeFacto Dialogue Platform, provided insights into Syria’s current political landscape, governance challenges, and the prospects for decentralized dialogue and negotiations.
The MERI Forum, the Institute’s flagship annual event, convenes local, national, and international policymakers, academics, opinion leaders, civil society actors, journalists, and diplomats. It provides a platform to discuss pressing regional challenges and propose practical solutions for decision-makers, with the overarching goal of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Iraq and the wider Middle East through constructive dialogue and inclusive engagement. The 2025 edition focused on Iraq’s immediate policy challenges, evolving regional dynamics, and emerging opportunities for international cooperation, exploring themes such as U.S. policy in the Middle East, prospects for peace in the Levant, ethno-religious coexistence, and institutional reforms. Within this context, the discussions on Syria offered timely and strategic insights for regional policymakers and international stakeholders.
Uncertainty and Governance in Post-Conflict Syria
Youssef highlighted the pervasive uncertainty in Syria following the fall of the previous regime, noting that Syrians continue to grapple with questions about the country’s future identity, internal governance, and relations with neighboring states.
He emphasized that the collapse of the Assad regime opened space for discussions on governance and political transformation, moving away from centralized authoritarian control toward participatory decision-making.
Youssef also underscored that many of the challenges facing Syria’s diverse communities—including Kurds, Alawites, Druze, and civil society actors—stem from the previous regime’s security-centered approach, which fostered regional instability and antagonistic policies.
He stressed that Syria’s current international openness presents a strategic opportunity to restore the country’s role as a stable regional actor, contingent on establishing inclusive governance structures that guarantee minority rights in the upcoming constitution.
Youssef proposed leveraging cross-border economic projects, education, and long-term civil society dialogue to bridge gaps between Syria and its neighbors, moving beyond nationalist and sectarian narratives.
The Role of Local Forces and Negotiations
Zozan Alloush emphasized that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) played a central role in liberating large parts of northeastern Syria from both the Assad regime and ISIS, securing nearly 30% of Syrian territory.
She argued that Syria’s liberation process was collective, involving internal factions, diaspora advocacy, and revolutionary groups in northwest Syria.
Alloush elaborated on the long-standing political divide between Damascus and northeastern Syria, noting that sustainable negotiations require patience and recognition of the distinct historical and societal contexts of different regions.
She highlighted the historic March 10 Agreement as a cornerstone for dialogue between the SDF and Damascus, underscoring principles of Syrian territorial integrity and opposition to partition.
She stressed that decentralization in northeastern Syria is a pragmatic approach rather than a nationalist agenda, aiming to enable flexible governance and inclusive state management while respecting local autonomy developed over the past 13 years.
Challenges and Opportunities
Both speakers agreed that Syria faces a complex legacy of destruction, societal fragmentation, and institutional weaknesses inherited from the previous regime. They emphasized the importance of building trust, advancing participatory governance, and integrating international support from actors such as the U.S., France, and regional stakeholders, including Turkey, into the dialogue process. The overarching message was that inclusive and decentralized governance, coupled with sustained negotiation efforts, can create a foundation for stability, security, and reconstruction across Syria’s diverse regions.
