Andrew J. Tabler is the Martin J. Gross Senior Fellow in the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute, where he focuses on Syria and U.S. policy in the Levant.
Sawsan Abou Zainedin is the CEO of Madaniya, an independent initiative that brings together more than 200 Syrian civil society organizations with the goal of reclaiming the political agency of the country’s civic space.
Mazen Ezzi is a journalist and researcher specializing in social, economic, and conflict dynamics in Syria. He is the editor of the Housing, Land, and Property Rights section of the Syria Report website.
Brief Analysis
Join us for an expert webcast examining the recent sectarian bloodshed in southern Syria and what steps the new government in Damascus can take to protect minorities during the transition to a stable post-Assad regime. Watch live starting at 11:00 a.m. (1500 GMT) on Monday, July 28, 2025.
The recent bloodshed in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda has exposed Syria’s fragile sectarian landscape post-Assad, raising questions about the new government’s ability to safely handle the transition while protecting minorities across the country. What steps can Damascus take to build trust with the Druze and other vulnerable communities after a string of mass atrocities—some reportedly at the hands of government forces? In Washington, how should U.S. officials approach ongoing talks with Syria and Israel to prevent further violations while paving the way toward stability and inclusivity? And is there a “Plan B” for Syria if the current authorities fail to act against radical elements within the government and security forces?
To discuss these pressing issues, The Washington Institute is pleased to announce a virtual Policy Forum moderated by Senior Fellow Noam Raydan and featuring:
Andrew Tabler, the Martin J. Gross Senior Fellow in the Institute’s Rubin Program on Arab Politics; former director for Syria at the U.S. National Security Council; former senior advisor to the State Department’s special envoy for Syria.
Sawsan Abou Zainedin, the CEO of Madaniya, an independent initiative that brings together more than 200 Syrian civil society organizations with the goal of reclaiming the political agency of the country’s civic space.
Mazen Ezzi, a journalist and researcher specializing in social, economic, and conflict dynamics in Syria; editor of the Housing, Land, and Property Rights section of the Syria Report website.
The Policy Forum series is made possible through the generosity of the Florence and Robert Kaufman Family.
