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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

"What is happening in Syria today is the violent and deeply unstable renegotiation of boundaries and relations between communities, regions, classes, and local power centers after the demise of an old order and in the absence of a credible new one." open.substack.com/pub/middleea...

open.substack.com

What Is Actually Happening in Syria

Sporadic acts of mass violence and controversies over the meaning of personal freedoms have erupted across the country. This is how a broken nation is renegotiating its modern identity.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

My take: "Iran’s uprising seems to have reached an irreversible moment—but no serious plan exists for the day after regime collapse. Without preparation, a revolution could give way to chaos." Iran’s Berlin Wall Moment and the Dangerous Silence About the Day After open.substack.com/pub/middleea...

open.substack.com

Iran’s Berlin Wall Moment and the Dangerous Silence About the Day After

Iran’s uprising has reached an irreversible moment—but no serious plan exists for the day after regime collapse. Without preparation, a revolution could give way to chaos.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

"Democracy is not a stable state. It is a practice. A discipline. A type of moral athleticism. When societies abandon the discipline, the structure withers." Choosing Freedom at the End of a Hard Year open.substack.com/pub/middleea...

open.substack.com

Choosing Freedom at the End of a Hard Year

A personal reflection on fear, autocracy, and democracy after a year that tested political assumptions across Syria, the United States, and the world.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

My latest "The debate over the liberal world order has become a clash of moral absolutes—one that obscures the messy, contested history that produced the norms we now defend." The Shifting Global Order and its Implications for the Middle East www.themiddleeastuncovered.com/p/the-shifti...

themiddleeastuncovered.com

The Shifting Global Order and its Implications for the Middle East

The debate over the liberal world order has become a clash of moral absolutes—one that obscures the messy, contested history that produced the norms we now defend.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

My take on the Syrian elections: "The new People’s Assembly is not a revolution’s reward, but its redesign, and a window into al-Sharaa’s vision for a conservative, market-driven Syria." A Parliament by Design, Not by Vote www.themiddleeastuncovered.com/p/a-parliame...

themiddleeastuncovered.com

A Parliament by Design, Not by Vote

The new People’s Assembly is not a revolution’s reward, but its redesign, and a window into al-Sharaa’s vision for a conservative, market-driven Syria.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

My latest contribution to The Middle East Uncovered Substack focuses on the role of the three warlords currently ruling Syria: Mazloum Abdi, Hikmat Al-Hijri and Ahmad Al-Sharaa. Can the U.S. bring them together to agree on a power-sharing arrangement? www.themiddleeastuncovered.com/p/the-trio-v...

themiddleeastuncovered.com

The Trio Vying to Rule a Broken Syria

Syria’s future lies in the hands of three warlords: an ideologue, a patriarch, and a chameleon

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Should the U.S. Ban the Muslim Brotherhood? My friend and colleague @faisalalmutar and I examine the serious implications of such a step, and we recommend against it for a number of philosophical and practical reasons. www.themiddleeastuncovered.com/p/should-the...

themiddleeastuncovered.com

Should the U.S. Ban the Muslim Brotherhood?

The push to ban the Muslim Brotherhood exposes the tension between national security and constitutional freedoms

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

This was a goode event. The situation in Syria remains n flux, but there are reasons to be optimistic for the first time in decades. youtu.be/0W2RWfzp4Lk?...

youtu.be

"Syria: What Happens Next?" – Moderated by Jonathan Spyer | Statecraft Reimagined 2025

YouTube video by Middle East Forum

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

سوريا الجديدة تحتاج إلى تفكير جديد: في مقالي لـ "المجلة،" أطرح ضرورة فتح حوار مباشر بين السوريين والإسرائيليين — حوار صريح، استراتيجي، ومنطلق من مصلحة الطرفين. لن يكون الحوار سهلاً، لكن القبول بالوضع الحالي أصعب. الحوار السوري – الإسرائيلي... ضرورة اللحظة وبناء الثقة www.majalla.com/node/325825

majalla.com

الحوار السوري – الإسرائيلي... ضرورة اللحظة وبناء الثقة

ينبغي أن يبدأ هذا التفاوض بأهداف محدودة وملموسة في الوقت نفسه لا تشمل أي منها التطبيع، أو الانضمام إلى "اتفاقات أبراهام"

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

A new Syria demands new thinking: In my latest for Al-Majalla, I argue that the time has come for a direct Syrian-Israeli dialogue—honest, strategic, and rooted in mutual interest. It won’t be easy, but neither is the status quo. Read the full piece: en.majalla.com/node/325820/...

en.majalla.com

It’s time for Syrian-Israeli dialogue

Syria's future will be forged through difficult decisions. And right now, what's best is to talk with Israel.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

For my latest take on Syria's transition, you can listen in on this podcast with my dear friend Dr. Paul Williams founder of the Public Law and Policy Group. youtu.be/z00jPr7E4yg?...

youtu.be

Ammar Abdulhamid on Syria’s Transition: Democracy, Civil Society, and International Engagement

YouTube video by PILPG

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

The European Union’s decision to suspend sanctions on Syria for one year is a significant step toward potential permanent relief, promising positive impacts on Syrians’ daily lives and sustainable development. 1/2 www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...

euronews.com

EU is about to suspend sanctions on Syria. How many are in place?

Under Assad, Syria became one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world. After Assad, the EU wants to inject fresh dynamism. #EuropeNews

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

This marks a historic milestone: for the first time, Syria has a presence at the World Economic Forum, represented by the caretaker Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani. 1/ www.youtube.com/live/Pnwd91t...

youtube.com

A Conversation with Asaad Hassan Al Shibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria

YouTube video by World Economic Forum

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

لقائي مع ماهر غبرة في بودكاست "بالعربي" يتناول قضية رفع العقوبات على سوريا، ومعالم المرحلة الانتقالية فيها، علاوة على أوجه التشابه ما بين الحركة التصحيحية في 1973 والحركة التحريرية اليوم. youtu.be/WpfikbFczfA?...

youtu.be

الإدارة الانتقالية في سوريا وإشكالية رفع العقوبات.. مع الناشط والمحلل السوري عمار عبد الحميد

YouTube video by بيت الحكمة 2.0

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

My latest article in The Hill explores parallels between developments during Hafiz Al-Assad's Corrective Movement and Syria's current transitional phase. 1/2 Lessons from Syria’s volatile past for its uncertain future - thehill.com/opinion/inte...

thehill.com

Lessons from Syria’s volatile past for its uncertain future

Syria has faced such transitions before. Unless secular, pro-democracy advocates learn from the past, we risk falling into the same traps.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Below is my article published earlier today by the Lawfare Institute. It deals with Syria’s Islamists, secularists and evolving communal dynamics in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime. go.shr.lc/4h7ynjr

go.shr.lc

Syria’s Communal Diversity and the Challenges of Transition

As HTS leads efforts to rebuild Syria, it must contend with sectarian tensions, uncertain governance, and the need for inclusive peace.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

I believe a four-year wait before holding elections is not unreasonable, as long as the transitional government is sufficiently diverse and the interim governance structure remains responsive to criticism while respecting basic human rights. 1/

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Since the liberation, the prices of basic goods in Damascus have dropped by as much as 50%, due to the removal of the exorbitant taxes previously imposed by the regime. This immediate improvement in living conditions serves as a stark indicator of just how corrupt the defunct system was. #Syria

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

I was sipping my cardamom tea while writing this article for @newlinesmag.bsky.social, exploring the subtle—and not so subtle—implications of the ongoing debate about the future of alcohol consumption in Syria. Spoiler alert: it's about far more than just a drink. newlinesmag.com/spotlight/th...

newlinesmag.com

The Not-So-Frivolous Debate About Alcohol in Syria

It is neither premature nor petty to raise the question of drink, which strikes at the core of discussions about the nature of the new Syrian state

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Reposted by Ammar

Alex Rowell @alexjrowell.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

The alcohol question is not a frivolous one - it strikes at the core of the debate about the nature of Syria's new state, argues @theactualammar.bsky.social in @newlinesmag.bsky.social newlinesmag.com/spotlight/th...

newlinesmag.com

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Public protests and demonstrations are not the only avenue for expressing grievances. Perhaps it's time to repurpose the cultural centers originally established under Assad's Baath Party into public forums where citizens can gather to discuss current developments and future course of the country 1/2

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

الاحتجاجات والمظاهرات العامة ليست الوسيلة الوحيدة للتعبير عن المظالم. ربما حان الوقت لإعادة تخصيص المراكز الثقافية التي أنشأها حزب البعث في عهد الأسد - والتي كانت تُستخدم لنشر أيديولوجيته السامة - إلى منتديات عامة يمكن أن يجتمع فيها المواطنون لمناقشة التطورات الحالية ومسار البلاد المستقبلي. 1/2

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

At this critical juncture, forming an inter-communal, inter-regional council of elders could be a transformative step. Such a council could travel across the country, engaging with local communities, addressing their concerns, and relaying those concerns to the authorities. 1/2

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Another pivotal moment is unfolding before our eyes. While its pace might seem slow compared to the rapid developments in Syria, this is, in reality, a fast-moving situation. The military junta that has ruled Myanmar since 1962 appears to be on its last legs. 1/2

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

The time for Syrian refugees to return home is drawing nearer, but we’re not there yet. The process must be methodical, gradual, and carefully managed. The infrastructure—homes, roads, hospitals, schools, the electrical grid—must be renovated and expanded to accommodate the returning population. 1/

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

The photo below shows thousands of Syrians demonstrating in the Omayyad Square in Damascus earlier today, demanding adherence to secular democratic norms.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

My interview on Tonight with Andrew Marr that took place on 17/12, where I discuss current developments in #Syria and give my assessment of Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s pragmatism. www.linkedin.com/posts/amarji...

linkedin.com

Ammar Abdulhamid on LinkedIn: #syria

My interview on Tonight with Andrew Marr that took place on 17/12, where I discuss current developments in #Syria and give my assessment of Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s…

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

We must make an unequivocal stand now in favor of civil rights—both individual and communal—gender equality, and fair representation. Waiting until their rule is fully consolidated will be too late. What we need are formal commitments, concrete guarantees, and clear arrangements—not vague promises.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

It’s crucial for us to remember that our struggle against Assad was long and hard-it lasted over 5000 days, not ten,- and we have made immense sacrifices to remove this criminal from power. Yet the battle is far from over. If liberal democracy is our ultimate goal, there’s still a long road ahead.

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

We must make an unequivocal stand now in favor of civil rights—both individual and communal—gender equality and fair representation. Waiting until Islamist rule is fully consolidated will be too late. What we need are formal commitments, concrete guarantees, and clear arrangements—not vague promises

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

The Assad dynasty operated as a ruthless crime syndicate, profiting from embezzlement, blackmail, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and murder. Every member was complicit—there were no "Michael Corleones" in this family, only "Sonnys" and "Fredos." 1/2 #Syria

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

He takes no responsibility for anything—everything that happened was someone else’s fault. In his fantastical narrative, he was abandoned on the battlefield, betrayed and forsaken, like Hussein in #Karbala. 1/2

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Both #Turkiye and Israel are seeking to establish buffer zones in #Syria, driven by their unwillingness to address the deeper political roots of their own internal challenges. But buffer zones won’t make the Kurdish or Palestinian Questions disappear. 1/

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Many will criticize the EU and US decision to maintain sanctions on #Syria until specific conditions are met (protections for the rights of minorities and women and disavowal of religious extremism). 1/2

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

We must extend a hand of friendship to the pro-democracy movement in the Republic of #Georgia and support their courageous efforts—however symbolically—in resisting #Russia's encroachment and influence. #Syria #GeorgiaProtests #UnitedAgainstDictators

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

If lifting sanctions is impractical at this stage, perhaps the State Department could issue licenses and exemptions for both commercial and non-profit organizations seeking to provide humanitarian aid and support reconstruction efforts. 1/

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Ammar @theactualammar.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Morale among #Assad’s forces was abysmally low. Most soldiers were forcibly conscripted, treated like expendable tools, and subjected to the corruption and neglect of their absent, self-serving superiors. 1/

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Reposted by Ammar

Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 13/12/2024

ICYMI: Watch @benjaminwittes.bsky.social, @sranderson.bsky.social, @theactualammar.bsky.social, and Charles Lister discuss the current situation in Syria, who the Syrian rebel groups, including HTS, are, what might happen now, and so much more. youtube.com/live/JYIYQL-...

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