The Right Way to Engage With Syria’s New Rulers: Economic Aid Can Undermine Rebel Leaders

2 comments

1. When are they writing a constitution and holding an election to codify it?

2. >They [world governments] should, however, immediately offer unconditional humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. Our research shows that people who endure hunger or lack shelter are left with feelings of injustice, a strong motivator for taking up arms. Making sure Syrians have their basic needs met is both the right thing to do and a way to help end a cycle of violence.

   Could have sworn I heard of this strategy of unconditional aid to territories under the control of quasi-state unelected armed groups before – maybe somewhere in the region? /s

   The world really needs to learn that some conditions are absolutely necessary for humanitarian aid. Strong assurances for the equitable distribution thereof for one, or else regimes can withhold or even sell the aid for their own purposes, or divert it entirely to non-humanitarian causes.

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