Baathist Maysaa Sabrine Appointed as Syria’s Central Bank Chief

Syria’s new interim government is moving full-blast ahead on women’s right. It has just appointed, Monday Maysaa Sabrine as the new governor of the country’s Central Bank. This is the second woman appointment in the new administration of Ahmed Al Sharaa, seen as an Islamist extremist turned liberal.

She becomes the first woman to hold such a top position in the bank’s seven decade history  and is expected to lead Syria into the modern age in a post-Baathist government. 

But there is a hitch and apparently that doesn’t seem to be much bothering the new government in Damascus for Sabrine has served under the old Baathist regime as deputy governor of the Central Bank for the last six years and holds a degree in accounting.

Thus it would seem the new government is looking for meritocracy than ideological or political affiliation for Sabrine is will versed in the country’s fiscal system having also served on the board of directors of the Syria securities exchange.

Her appointment is trending on the social media as she is the second woman after Aisha Al Dibs who was made head of the Women Affairs Section in the interim administration, an appointment designed to allay the fears of the West who still see this government as an Islamist extremist one.

Therefore the appointment of Sabrine has created much talk among the social media buffs related to those who supported the move and those against it as she was part-and-parcel of the former Baath regime.

But those in favor believe the woman has a wide ranging economic experience that would be essential for the current administration. So maybe practicalities has over-ridden the ideological garb.

Continue reading
Syria Appoints Aisha Al Dibs in Interim Cabinet

Surprising many, or not so, the new interim government in Syria, has appointed a women minister to head the “Women Affairs Section” in the cabinet.

Aisha Al Dibs name and image is trending on the social media as the first high-level official in the new administration after the fall of the Baath regime on 8 December, 2024.

Dibs, who previously worked in the field of humanitarian aid, describes herself on her social media account as “an activist focused on the development of women and humanitarian work according to Anadolu.

Continue reading
Syria: A Hot Political Potato

By Dr Khairi Janbek

All eyes are on Syria, simply because the only thing known about how the new Syria will look like is frankly, the unknown. What is prevailing in the new predictions and analysis is at best, and at worst blunt fears.

Of course, this is understandable considering the composition of the groups which are now trying to run the country. What is vey disconcerting however, is how the international media presented the war prior to the fall of Damascus in no more than a side show, giving the impression that, as big Syrian cities fell one after the other in the hands of the rebels, that an agreement was likely to be struck which will solve the concept peaceably. Well, such an agreement was not struck, and the victorious rebellion became the hot potato in the hands of all.

Now, how will the new regime look like in Syria? Frankly your guess is as good as mine. Will they act momentarily in a pluralistic manner, then adopt political Islam as regime ideology? Again, only time will tell, but also that would depend primarily, on the prevailing regional and international actors and players.

For a start, the rapprochement between Russia and Turkey will not greatly depend on the shape of the new regime, so long of course, as the new regime in Damascus continues to protect the Russian interests in warm water bases, and be a wall against Kurdish armed groups threatening Turkish interests.

Then of course there is Israel, which after it destroyed Syrian military capabilities, has no fear of war with Damascus, but does fear the potential presence of a regime adopting political Islamist trappings on its borders, which it will use as an excuse use to expand and probably annex Syrian, and maybe Lebanese territories before the dust settles down.

However, when it comes to the Arab neighbors of Syria, Jordan and Iraq, it’s only natural they would feel concerned but for different reasons. For Jordan, the recent history of Iraqi political instability and the associated acts of terrorism are still fresh in the mind of everyone in the Kingdom, so in no uncertain terms, Jordan would wish to see on its border, a regime adopting political Islam, lest it suffers once more from terror acts that are likely to push for military action and in which it doesn’t wish to be involved in.

As for Iraq, the sectarian troubles are still fresh in the minds of everyone. Certainly the Iraqi government doesn’t wish to see a regime on its borders which has the potential of igniting an unwanted sectarian civil war. As for the rest of the Arab countries, the question remains theoretical – plainly speaking being against political Islam .

As for Syria itself, it’s rather banal to repeat the obvious which is, that it is pluralistic country. But, how can you mange such a country, if indeed this is the intention intention and not shoving it up everyone’s throat ideology by blood and fire.

For a start every community, ethnic and religious, has to feel secure, and secondly they need to know that they have a stake in the future of the country, and that can only happen by establishing a truly functioning parliament freely elected by all of its constituents, then adopt a prime ministerial system of government accountable to the people with a titular president of the republic. No political party should be prohibited to field parliamentary candidates except those associated with armed groups.

At the end of the day, the only thing which will turn the current victorious rebels into extremist islamists is the specter of internal civil conflict which everyone is trying to avoid.

Dr Khairi Janbek is a Jordanian commentator currently based in Paris.

Continue reading
New Syrian Government Condemns Israeli Attacks

In its first official stance, the new Syrian Interim Government has condemned Israel’s invasion of Syrian territories. Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Qusai Al-Dhahhak, sent two letters to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. He demanded respect for the disengagement agreement and the mandate of the UNDOF peacekeeping forces.

“Syria condemns, in the strongest terms, the Israeli aggression and incursion into Syrian lands,” Al-Dhahhak stated. He called on the UN and the Security Council to take firm and immediate action to stop Israel’s attacks and ensure its withdrawal from areas it recently occupied according to the Quds News Network.

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, General Commander of the Military Operations Administration, stressed the importance of diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability. “Diplomatic efforts are the only way to guarantee security and stability, avoiding reckless military adventures,” he said.

He warned of Israel’s actions crossing disengagement lines in Syria. “The Israelis have clearly violated disengagement lines, threatening unjustified escalation in the region,” Al-Sharaa stated. He also criticized Israel’s pretexts for the ongoing attacks, saying, “The Israeli excuses have become weak and no longer justify their recent violations.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s current priorities. “The Syrian situation, weakened by years of war and conflict, does not permit engagement in new conflicts,” he explained. He called on the international community to act urgently. “There is a necessity for international intervention to address the latest Israeli escalation and ensure respect for Syrian sovereignty.”

Al-Sharaa urged focus on rebuilding the country rather than entering into further conflicts. “Our priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not being dragged into disputes that may lead to more destruction,” he concluded.

US and Israel Coordination

General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, met Israeli military officials in Tel Aviv to discuss the situation in Syria. They addressed regional security and the ongoing Israeli assaults.

For the eighth consecutive day, Israeli forces have conducted air and ground strikes on Syria. Overnight, they targeted facilities near the town of Kafr and the 15th Special Forces Division, along with electronic warfare installations.

Local sources reported fresh airstrikes on areas near Damascus, Sweida, and Hama. Explosions were heard near the Scientific Studies and Research Center in Masyaf. Witnesses in Damascus documented remnants of Israeli missiles in the Rukn Al-Din area.

Israel claimed its attacks destroyed 90% of Syria’s military capabilities. Targets included warplanes, naval assets, and strategic sites, aimed at preventing them from falling into rebel hands after the collapse of the Assad regime.

Continue reading