1/2 What is left of the welfare state in Syria? Can the retirement pensions system be revamped? How is the government approaching healthcare finance reforms? Will social housing survive a free-market agenda?

I recently visited Raqqa, Hassakeh & Qamishli. With the help of the talented Khabat Abas I sat with AANES & SDF officials, members of chambers of trade and industry and businesspeople to understand better the northeast region at this critical juncture in history.

The newsroom of The Syria Report joins today the global protest condemning the murder of journalists by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. More than 250 newsrooms demand an end to impunity for Israeli crimes against Gaza’s reporters.

In my latest for TheSyriaReport, I dive into the challenges, opportunities, worries & hopes of the Syrian business community, 7 months into the post-Assad era. With insights from businesspeople from pharma, textile, IT, home appliances & automobile sectors ⬇️ syria-report.com/a-glimpse-in...

Trial in Spain against Rifaat Al-Assad & family members. If convicted, Spanish authorities could seize EUR 700 million in assets. A Spanish judicial source confirmed that there are legal avenues for Spain to restitute part of these assets to the Syrian state. syria-report.com/trial-in-spa...

1st session of the trial today in Spain against Rifaat Al-Assad & 8 family members. They're accused of creating a criminal network that has reportedly laundered hundreds of millions of euros. If convicted, Spain could seize EUR 700 million. More details tomorrow, on TheSyriaReport.

Due to funding shortfalls, NGOs working in unexploded ordnance clearance and demining in Syria are struggling to establish the necessary teams to respond to the hundreds of calls they receive every month. syria-report.com/more-funding...

syria-report.com/explained-cr... Should Syria regulate the use of cryptocurrencies? Dive into the risks and opportunities that these digital currencies pose in the Syrian context. My latest for The Syria Report with insights by Sinan Hatahet

syria-report.com/returning-sy... ⚖️💰The conversation about repurposing Syrian assets held in Western jurisdictions towards Syrian survivors gains momentum. My latest for The Syria Report with insights from Eyad Hamid, Danny Al-Baaj, Natalia Kubesch, Celeste Kmiotek & MEP Hannah Neumann

At The Syria Report we have a job opening for a full-time journalist based in Damascus. Come join the team! syria-report.com/job-opening-...

syria-report.com/saudi-arabia... On March 9, a vessel operated by the Dubai-based Caerus shipping company docked at Lattakia port, inaugurating the direct Jeddah-Lattakia shipping line announced by the Saudi General Authority for Ports (Mawani) in late February.

syria-report.com/national-dia... 130 businesspeople & experts discussed "economic principles" for Syria at the National Conference Dialogue. The workshop reflected "key disagreements on privatisation, international financial engagement, and central bank autonomy,” said Sinan Hatahet.

The EU has eased sanctions in the energy, transport & banking sector. The Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Savings Bank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, Central Bank of Syria and Syrian Arab Airlines have been de-listed. syria-report.com/eu-eases-san...

The new Syrian authorities have a clear-cut script: Syria will embrace a free-market approach, opening the door to private investors & getting rid of the socialist approach adopted under the Assad regime. Deep dive into the pitfalls of that faulty narrative ⬇️ syria-report.com/analysis-the...

Trump's halt of U.S. foreign aid has wreaked havoc on in Syria. Many NGOs have halted their food distribution, water supplies, & medical services. The White Helmets' forensic work in mass graves has also been impacted. syria-report.com/trumps-sudde...