Violence in Suwayda: No “Plan B” for Syria?

SPEAKER ADDED: Qutaiba Idlbi, Director of American Affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Idlbi will join the event for a special discussion with Washington Institute fellow Aaron Y. Zelin, immediately followed by the previously announced panel with Noam Raydan, Andrew J. Tabler, Sawsan Abou Zainedin, and Mazen Ezzi. The recent bloodshed in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda has exposed Syria’s fragile sectarian landscape post-Assad, raising questions about the new government’s ability to safely handle the transition while protecting minorities across the country. What steps can Damascus take to build trust with the Druze and other vulnerable communities after a string of mass atrocities—some reportedly at the hands of government forces? In Washington, how should U.S. officials approach ongoing talks with Syria and Israel to prevent further violations while paving the way toward stability and inclusivity? And is there a “Plan B” for Syria if the current authorities fail to act against radical elements within the government and security forces? To discuss these pressing issues, The Washington Institute is pleased to announce a virtual Policy Forum moderated by Senior Fellow Noam Raydan and featuring: Andrew Tabler, the Martin J. Gross Senior Fellow in the Institute’s Rubin Program on Arab Politics; former director for Syria at the U.S. National Security Council; former senior advisor to the State Department’s special envoy for Syria. Sawsan Abou Zainedin Sawsan is a Syrian civil society professional. An architect and urban development planner by training, she works at the intersection of democratic transitions and urban recovery. She leads pioneering initiatives that centre local agency, justice, and inclusive governance in Syria. Mazen Ezzi, a journalist and researcher specializing in social, economic, and conflict dynamics in Syria; editor of the Housing, Land, and Property Rights section of the Syria Report website.