On Thursday, July 31 at 10 am EST, join TIMEP for “A ‘Syria for all Syrians’: Between Promises and Reality”, an online moderated discussion featuring Ola Suliman, Samy Akil, Kholoud Helmi, and Lina Ghoutouk, moderated by Mai El-Sadany.
Months into the country’s transition, a key question on the mind of many Syrians is whether the new government will be able and willing to deliver a ‘Syria for all Syrians.’ Though the new authorities have committed to this vision in their constitutional declaration and recent national celebrations, a series of worrying incidents leave questions on the minds of those watching. In March, a cycle of violence known as the “coastal attacks” led to the death of hundreds and implicated numerous parties—from Assad regime loyalists to security forces and foreign fighters. Though the authorities responded promptly by establishing a fact-finding committee to investigate and address the incident, the months to come will be critical in assessing the government’s capacity to speak to the needs and priorities of all members of its diverse population, to quell sectarian tensions and to hold its own to account. In June, a suicide bomber attacked Sunday worshippers at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, killing at least 22, striking terror among locals, and intensifying fears further.
In a moderated discussion, our panelists will reflect on a number of key questions:
What steps have the new Syrian authorities taken to bring about a system of governance that is meaningfully inclusive and delivers on the diverse needs and priorities of Syrians?
How are Syrians assessing the ability and capacity of the new authorities to understand and address their concerns, to communicate with and inform them as members of the public, and to meet with different groups and communities—from religious minorities to victims’ groups, civil society, and members of the diaspora?
What may authorities’ responses to the coastal attacks and the Mar Elias church bombing mean for what’s to come?
Kholoud Helmi is a gender and media expert and co-founder and board member of Enab Baladi, an independent Syrian newspaper established in 2011. She is a firm believer in the vital role women play in development, peacebuilding, and long-term stability. Before fleeing Syria, Kholoud bore witness to the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in her hometown of Darayya, including arbitrary arrests and massacres. Her brother was arrested in 2012 for helping displaced people from Homs—a turning point that deepened her commitment to truth and justice. Her courage and reporting have been internationally recognized.
Lina Ghoutouk is a Nonresident Fellow at TIMEP focusing on transitional justice in Syria. She is a Syrian researcher and human rights specialist with over a decade of experience in the humanitarian and research sectors. Throughout her career, Lina has consistently advocated for an intersectional, victim-centered approach to addressing human rights violations. Originally from the city of Homs in Syria, Lina has led several research initiatives aimed at promoting a conflict-sensitive approach to the city’s reconstruction and healing its fractured social fabric. Her work emphasizes the importance of inclusive recovery processes that prioritize local voices and foster social cohesion.
Samy Akil is a Nonresident Fellow at TIMEP focusing on politics and security in Syria. He is a political analyst specializing in Middle Eastern affairs with a focus on Syria and a particular interest in political transition, diplomacy, and security. He held advisory roles with the International NGO Safety Organization (INSO) and GIZ. His writing and analysis have been featured in the Middle East Institute, the Atlantic Council, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), the Lowy Institute, and the Operations and Policy Center (OPC). Samy is also a founding member of the Change for Syria Network (C4S), a grassroots initiative promoting youth participation in Syria’s political, civic, and cultural spheres.
Ola Suliman is a Syrian engineer and dedicated human rights activist who has been committed to justice and freedom since the start of the Syrian revolution. Forced to leave Syria at the end of 2013, she continued her advocacy by joining Mayday Rescue (2014–2019), where she played a key role in supporting the White Helmets as they carried out life-saving missions under extremely challenging conditions. In 2021, Ola joined The Syria Campaign, using her expertise to amplify Syrian voices and advocate for the freedom of detainees, accountability, and human rights. Since December 2024, she has also been volunteering with a civil peace group in Homs—supported by The Syria Campaign—working to rebuild trust and foster peace within Syrian communities.
Moderator - Mai El-Sadany is the Executive Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP). She is a human rights lawyer with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand creative pathways to accountability, to leverage international and regional mechanisms to advance human rights, and to publish accessible analysis and scholarship on legal, judicial, and constitutional issues. She was previously TIMEP's Managing Director and Legal and Judicial Director. Prior to that, she worked at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, among other organizations.