LUGARIT

LUGARIT is on Threads Follow us to stay updated with our latest insights, in-depth analysis, and discussions on the pressing issues impacting the Middle East and Africa https://lnkd.in/gZth6hZv By joining us on Threads, you'll gain access to: - Thought-provoking articles and commentary - Updates on our projects and news - Engaging discussions on peace-building, early recovery, local governance and more Let’s continue the conversation and work together towards a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Research #MiddleEast #Africa #InternationalDevelopment #PeaceBuilding #Reconstruction #Recovery #SustainableDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #LocalGovernance #Urbanism #HeritageManagement #Housing #Communications #GenderMainstreaming #CivilSociety

How can Syria overcome fragmented governance and rebuild equitable service delivery systems after years of conflict? In LUGARIT’s latest research paper, developed in collaboration with Omran Center for Strategic Studies, we analyze service disparities across the country’s seven governance models before the fall of the Assad regime, offering insights into challenges and pathways for recovery. 🌍 Title: On the Eve of The Regime’s Fall: Service Indicators in Syria 📅 Date: 27 January 2025 📚 Publishers: Omran Center for Strategic Studies + LUGARIT ✍️ Research Team: ayman dasuki, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Zedoun Alzoubi, Hassan Masri, Jadd Hallaj, Obaida Sayed Ali, Fadil Hanci, Rahaf Lahham, Baraa Khurfan, Zeina Al-Khair EN | ع The paper is available in Arabic only. البحث متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - Uneven Service Availability: Daraa and the Salvation Government regions perform relatively better, while Suwayda lags significantly behind across key services. - Fragmented Governance: Centralized control limits local institutions’ ability to address community-specific needs, exacerbating inefficiencies. - Infrastructure Gaps: Infrastructure services show the greatest need for improvement, essential for sustainable reconstruction. - Public Dissatisfaction: Perceptions of inequity and governance challenges contribute to instability and resistance. - Recommendations for Recovery: Decentralized service delivery, infrastructure investment, diaspora engagement, and political reform are critical for Syria’s recovery. 📖 Read the paper on our website for informed policymaking and development strategies, and a roadmap for rebuilding Syria’s service systems. 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/ghGDsyUf #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #Peacebuilding #LocalGovernance #Syria #MiddleEast #Infrastructure #Decentralization

LUGARIT is on BlueSky Follow us to stay updated with our latest insights, in-depth analysis, and discussions on the pressing issues impacting the Middle East and Africa https://lnkd.in/gkq3NUwu By joining us on BlueSky, you'll gain access to: - Thought-provoking articles and commentary - Updates on our projects and news - Engaging discussions on peace-building, early recovery, local governance and more Let’s continue the conversation and work together towards a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Research #MiddleEast #Africa #InternationalDevelopment #PeaceBuilding #Reconstruction #Recovery #SustainableDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #LocalGovernance #Urbanism #HeritageManagement #Housing #Communications #GenderMainstreaming #CivilSociety

From Concept to Impact: Social Capital Simplified LUGARIT partnered with Niuversity and Afkar Plus Accelerator to conduct a workshop on social capital for young professionals in Syria. Building on this initiative, the training material has been recently transformed into a 34-page guidebook, offering practical insights into the development and application of social capital in fostering sustainable communities. 🌍 Title: Introduction to Social Capital 📅 Date: 2025 📚 Publisher: Niuversity ✍️ Authors: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Dr Fadi Amroush, Eva Ziedan EN | ع The guidebook is available in Arabic only. الدليل متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - What is social capital, and what drives its development? - The role of tradition and heritage in shaping trust and cooperation. - Social capital's impact on economic growth and sustainable development. - Positive vs. negative social capital and their societal outcomes. - How social capital influences conflict and resolution within communities. - Practical applications, including case studies and value-chain analyses. - The broader concept of "community capital" and its relevance to holistic development. 📖 Read the news post on our website and get free access to the guidebook 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/ghRDy_Bm 📷 Photo: Snapshot from a workshop. Photo © GaudiLab - via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #SocialCapital #CommunityEmpowerment

Sinjar’s Struggles and Hopes: A Vision for Peace This paper is the first in a series by Dr. Esther Meininghaus, an expert at LUGARIT’s consulting network, exploring local conflicts, resolution mechanisms, and visions for peace in Iraq. This paper focuses on Sinjar, a district of significance due to the Yazidi genocide and ongoing struggles with armed groups, land disputes, and the legal status of women. LUGARIT’s paper examines these complex, interconnected challenges and highlights actionable solutions for policymakers, aid actors, and researchers. 🌍 Title: Sinjar, Iraq: Local Conflicts, Conflict Resolution and Visions for Peace 📅 Date: 21 January 2025 📚 Publisher: LUGARIT ✍️ Author: Dr. Esther Meininghaus EN | ع The article is available in the English language only. المقالة متاحة باللغة الإنجليزية 💡 Key insights: - The interconnected nature of Sinjar’s conflicts, including insecurity, land disputes, impunity for genocide perpetrators, and societal challenges faced by Yazidi women and children. - The limitations of current conflict resolution mechanisms, such as ṣulḥ (tribal mediation) and the judicial system, which often exclude marginalized groups. - The potential of the 2020 Sinjar Agreement to address governance and security concerns, though its implementation remains stalled. - Recommendations for inclusive recovery efforts, legal reforms, and reconciliation initiatives to rebuild trust and foster peace. 📖 🎧 Read or listen to the paper on our website to gain a deeper understanding of Sinjar’s struggles, the resilience of its people, and strategies for fostering long-term peace and justice. 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/gys9WtBi 📷 Photo: A female Yezidi YBŞ Fighter. Sinjar, Iraq. 2 December 2017. Photo © Kurdishstruggle - via Flickr. Photo editing by LUGARIT. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDevelopment #ConflictAnalysis #Peacebuilding #Iraq #Sinjar #MiddleEast

On the Brink: Governance in Syria Before the Assad Regime’s Fall In a recent study, LUGARIT and the Omran Center for Strategic Studies examine the fragmented and complex governance models across Syria in the days leading up to the Assad regime’s collapse on 8 December 2024. This research sheds light on the regional disparities, societal dynamics, and governance challenges that emerged as the regime's grip weakened. Understanding these realities is crucial for shaping Syria’s future. 🌍 Title: The Conditions of Governance in Syria before 8 December 2024 📅 Date: 17 January 2025 📚 Publisher: Omran Center for Strategic Studies + LUGARIT ✍️ Research Team: Zedoun Alzoubi, ayman dasuki, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Hassan Masri, Jadd Hallaj, Obaida Sayed Ali, Fadil Hanci, Rahaf Lahham, Baraa Khurfan, Zeina Al-Khair EN | ع This research paper is available in Arabic language only. البحث متاح باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: - Fragmented Governance Models: Seven distinct governance models reflected the unique political, economic, and social realities of their respective regions. - Weak Public Trust: Governance legitimacy suffered due to corruption, poor service delivery, and a lack of democratic representation. - Regional Disparities: Service provision varied significantly, with government-controlled areas struggling the most. Opposition and autonomous regions relied heavily on external support. - The Role of Services: Public acceptance of governance hinged on the provision of basic services, respect for local traditions, and security maintenance. - Challenges Ahead: The paper underscores the importance of inclusive governance models for bridging divides and achieving national reconciliation. 📖 Read the paper on our website and explore Syria’s governance conditions during the regime’s final days and what they signify for the country’s future. 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/gfyX2mbP #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Governance #Syria #MiddleEast #ConflictResolution #PolicyResearch #PostConflict #Development #Reconciliation #StateBuilding #PoliticalTransition #GovernanceReform #RegionalDynamics #InclusiveGovernance #ResearchInsights

Redefining Governance for a Post-Conflict Syria The post-Assad transition in Syria presents a unique opportunity to reshape governance and build a foundation for sustainable recovery. However, this phase also comes with immense challenges that require thoughtful strategies, structural reforms, and inclusive dialogue to navigate effectively. LUGARIT’s latest article offers an analysis of the governance, economic, and social challenges ahead, and outlines actionable strategies to overcome them. 🌍 Title: Governance Challenges in the Upcoming Phase: General Concepts 📅 Date: 3 January 2025 📚 Publisher: Omran Center for Strategic Studies + LUGARIT EN | ع The article is available in both English and Arabic languages. المقالة متاحة باللغتين الإنجليزية والعربية 💡 Key insights: - The success of Idlib’s governance model highlights the importance of aligning governance frameworks with local cultural and societal values. - Scaling governance nationwide demands structural reforms to address corruption, inefficiency, and fragmentation. - Economic recovery requires innovative resource management, inflation control, and equitable distribution of services to avoid deepening inequalities. - Achieving legitimacy is pivotal, combining revolutionary (de facto) legitimacy with legal (de jure) legitimacy through constitutional reform and inclusive participation. - Community reconciliation, social safety nets, and partnerships with civil society are essential for stability and trust-building. - Reconstruction efforts must balance immediate needs with long-term planning to ensure sustainable development. 📖 🎧 Read or listen to the article on our website to explore how Syria can transition towards a stable and inclusive future. 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/gYqXj_TT 📷 Photo: The Presidential Palace overlooking the capitol after the fall of the Assad regime. Damascus, Syria. 9 December 2024. Photo © Mohammad Bash - via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT # ThinkTank #Governance #LocalGovernance #PostConflict #PostConflictRecovery #Syria #PolicyAnalysis

Publication - Emerging from the Ashes: A Snapshot of Syria on the Eve of Regime Collapse The fall of the Assad regime marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s history, but the path to unity, stability, and recovery remains fraught with challenges. LUGARIT’s latest paper provides a snapshot of Syria during this transformative period, exploring the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead. 🌍 Title: Emerging from the Ashes: A Snapshot of Syria on the Eve of Regime Collapse 📅 Date: 12 December 2024 📚 Publishers: Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs LUGARIT ✍️ Authors: Zedoun Alzoubi, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, Nihad Alamiri EN | ع The paper is available in English language only 💡 Key insights: - Fragmented Governance: Despite the regime’s collapse, Syria remains divided across governance zones, complicating national unification efforts. - Economic Collapse: Over 95% of Syrians live in poverty, with urgent economic recovery needed to address basic survival and support returning refugees. - Security Instability: Localized conflicts and regional turmoil continue to undermine stability despite HTS gaining control over major territories. - A Path Forward: The paper advocates for gradual and inclusive strategies essential for governance reform, constitutional dialogue, economic recovery, refugee reintegration, and fostering international consensus. 📖 Follow the link below to read the paper and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing Syria at this critical juncture. 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/drnSJ37y #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #Syria #PostConflictRecovery #Governance #EconomicRecovery #RefugeeReintegration #ConflictResolution #MiddleEastPolitics #SecurityReform #InternationalCollaboration #StabilityAndPeace #Decentralization #PolicyAnalysis #RebuildingSyria #GlobalChallenges

Can Heritage Be a Path to Peace in Conflict Zones? In an interview with Syrian Anonymous Journalists, LUGARIT’s experts Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj and Eva Ziedan explore the powerful role of heritage—particularly intangible cultural practices—in rebuilding social cohesion and fostering peace in war-affected communities. 🌍 Title: Heritage as a Gateway to Peace 📅 Date: 21 September 2024 📚 Publisher:  LUGARIT + Syrian Anonymous Journalists ✍️ Speakers: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj and Eva Ziedan EN | ع The interview is in Arabic. An English summary is available on LUGARIT website. المقابلة باللغة العربية 💡 Key insights: As the conversation coincided with the UN's International Day of Peace, key insights emerged: - Heritage as a Dynamic Process: Heritage is not static. It evolves with communities and can offer mechanisms for dialogue and reconciliation, especially in conflict zones like Syria. - Living Heritage and Social Cohesion: Beyond archaeological sites and monuments; traditions, customs, and cultural practices are essential tools in restoring trust and unity among fractured communities. - The Urgency of Action: Waiting for conflicts to end risks losing vital cultural elements by losing the communal practices that held them together. Now is the time to engage in heritage-driven peacebuilding efforts that can shape Syria’s future. - Examples of Resilience: Local communities in Syria have used intangible heritage, such as traditional agricultural practices, to survive and rebuild in the midst of war. Aziz and Eva make a compelling case that heritage, far from being a luxury or afterthought, is central to the survival and revival of Syrian society. 🎧 Listen to the full interview in Arabic to gain deeper insights into the potential of heritage as a peacebuilding tool: 🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/dA5ByQxk 📷 Photo: Street vendor in Bab Al Faraj, Aleppo, Syria, 2009. Photo © Paolo Arsie Pelanda - Via ShutterStock. #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #HeritageForPeace #CulturalHeritage #Peacebuilding #Syria #InternationalDayOfPeace #RebuildingTrust #ConflictResolution

Democracy and Identity: A Tale of Two Regions—Europe and the Arab World   As we observed the International Day of Democracy on 15 September, we reflect on the unique challenges facing the Arab world in its pursuit of democratic governance. At the heart of these challenges lies a deep and unresolved crisis of identity, which continues to shape the region's political landscape.   In LUGARIT’s latest article, we explore the intersection of democracy and identity in the Arab world, drawing lessons from the long historical evolution of democracy in Europe.   🌍 Title: Democracy and the Emergence of the Modern State   📅 Date: 15 September 2024   📚 Publisher: LUGARIT   ✍️ Author: Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj. Editor (EN): Nihad Alamiri   EN | ع The article is available in both English and Arabic languages. المقالة متاحة باللغتين الإنجليزية والعربية   💡 Key insights   - The crisis of democracy in the Arab world is as much about identity as it is about governance. - Unlike Europe's gradual democratic development, Arab states were born out of post-colonial agreements that left fragile national identities. - Current efforts in the Arab world focus on tolerance rather than equality, with constitutions and social contracts reflecting a mindset of "acceptance" rather than inclusion. - The question remains: How long will it take the Arab world to evolve from this stage of tolerance to a fully realized democracy, where all identities are truly equal?   📖 🎧 Read or listen to the article on LUGARIT website and dive deeper into the complexities of identity, governance, and democracy in the Arab world:   🌐 Link: https://lnkd.in/dSpEmPs6   📷 Photo: Ouided Bouchamaoui (right), co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize as a member of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, greets Raimonda Murmokaite, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the UN, at the Security Council meeting on security, development and the root causes of conflict. 17 November 2015. Photo © UN Photo/Cia Pak.    #LUGARIT #ThinkTank #InternationalDayOfDemocracy #Democracy #Governance #ArabWorld #IdentityCrisis #PoliticalReform #DemocraticDevelopment