Will the West move fast enough to lift Assad-era sanctions against Syria? | The Syrian War

The United Nations reports that seven out of 10 Syrians need humanitarian aid after 13 years of war.

About 500 billion dollars are needed to rebuild their countries.

Syria’s new administration has engaged in diplomacy over the past two weeks to convince Western nations to quickly lift sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

But these governments want to see progress towards inclusive and democratic governance in Syria.

Concerns are growing that the euphoria that followed Assad’s ouster could give way to frustration and violence if the process is delayed.

Will the West be ready to remove sanctions and quickly?

And can Syria’s new rulers make the changes needed to win the trust of world powers?

Presenter: Neave Barker

Guests:

Ammar Kahf – executive director of Omran Center for Strategic Studies

Hind Kabawat – Director of Interfaith Peacebuilding at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University

Fadi Dayoub – Executive Director of Support for Local Development and Small Projects, a Syrian NGO