Kashaf report: “The Challenges of Security Reform in Syria”

The outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011 was multi-dimensional event in terms of society, politics and security, calling for change in the strategies and policies of regional and international powers, because of the shadow that the revolution and the crises the regime faced cast upon the region and world, such as the emergence of organizations threatening global security, armed groups crossing borders, the build-up of foreign weapons and fighters, the disruption of trade, in addition to the movement of migration and asylum. All of which produced social changes that effected Syria and neighboring countries.

Considering the strategic importance that Syria occupies in the policies of great powers, the regional security challenge that Syria constituted, the superpowers and regional countries attempted to contain the security effects of the Syrian crisis upon them, a justification for direct intervention and especially at the security intelligence level, which made Syria the field for international intelligence conflict.

Speaking of the role of security establishment of the regime in manufacturing the current crisis, whether in terms of its role in the repression of Syrian citizens or the deepening of the political crisis, or its role in managing and exploiting the security issue in the regime’s foreign policy, all of which means a true security change is required in Syria.

In order to explore the challenges of security reform and to arrive at the optimal formulas and options to deal with them, the Syrian Dialogue Center held, in cooperation with the “Strategic Observatory” and Omran Center for Strategic Studies, a seminar with the title “The Challenges of Security Reform in Syria.” The seminar was held on Wednesday, Rabi al-Akhar 2, 1439/December 20, 2017.

The seminar held two sessions. The first was a demonstration of the research papers presented by the participating centers, as well a part for comments from the audience. The audience participation continued into the second session and were followed by commentary from the authors of the research papers. The seminar was attended by some Syrian academicians, writers and researchers, as well as representatives from the political and military factions.

This thematic report was prepared by following the “Chatham House” rule, without being bound to the chronological order of presentations and interventions. Rather, the thematic division of the report was organized with an intent of arranging the ideas in a smooth and objective way that would help the reader, as much as possible, to understand the content.

The report contains three topics. The first is a demonstration of the papers presented by the participating centers, whereas the second topics discusses the interventions and comments made by the seminar’s participants. The third is the commentary by the research papers authors on the audience’s interventions.

To view the seminar’s papers:
Event Report for the “Kashaf” Seminar: “The Challenges of Security Reform in Syria”
Summary of Ideas and Subjects raised in the Seminar
Security Change in Syria- Omran Center for Strategic Studies