Politics Middle East News International Relations Current Events Syria Crisis
Charles Lister
Charles Lister

@Charles_Lister

13 Tweets 5 reads Sep 04, 2022
Twitter
In recent weeks, I've had a number of conversations with journalists & policymakers who used to work 24/7 on #Syria, but have since moved onto other issues.
At some point, *every single one* expressed surprise at much is still happening & how little awareness there is of that.
As someone who still works on #Syria virtually 24/7 11+ years on, it's deeply frustrating.
"Syria's crisis is far from over" is a phrase I use every time I speak on #Syria issues.
To add to that: "its root causes are not only all still in place today, most are actually worse."
So taking "the crisis is far from over" as a starting point, here are x10 things I'd suggest people should know about -- all of which by themselves should be enough to justify (a) public attention & (b) greater policy interest & investment.
(Note: this list is not exhaustive).
1. #Syria is the world's most acute humanitarian crisis.
- 6.8 million refugees
- 6.5 million internally displaced
- 97% under poverty line
- 14.6 million dependent on aid
- Wild inflation ($1 = SYP4,500)
Meanwhile, #Russia's threatening to sever @UN aid supplies to millions.
1. #Syria is the world's most acute humanitarian crisis. - 6.8 million refugees - 6.5 million inter...
2. #Assad's #Syria is a narco state of international significance.
In 2021, ~$25 billion of #Captagon ('the poor man's cocaine') was exported from #Syria -- vs. just $800 million of legal exports.
In the past week alone, ~$700 million of #Syria-made #Captagon was seized abroad.
2. #Assad's #Syria is a narco state of international significance. In 2021, ~$25 billion of #Captag...
3. #Syria's ongoing crisis has turned the country into a geopolitical battleground, involving:
- #Russia
- #Iran & proxies
- #Turkey
- U.S. & 80+ country coalition
- #Israel
+ neighbors: #Jordan, #Lebanon, #Iraq
+ terrorist groups: #ISIS, #Hezbollah, #AlQaeda, #PKK
3. #Syria's ongoing crisis has turned the country into a geopolitical battleground, involving: - #R...
4. The #ISIS threat remains.
~10,000 #ISIS militants are thought to remain operational.
#ISIS controls pockets of territory along the #Syria-#Iraq border.
Attacks near-daily, expanding in scope & scale since 2020.
Jan 2022 prison break led to a 10-day battle, killing 500.
4. The #ISIS threat remains. ~10,000 #ISIS militants are thought to remain operational. #ISIS cont...
5. The crisis of the missing & disappeared.
- 120,000 people remain missing, assumed in #Assad detention or murdered in captivity.
Despite consistent diplomatic pressure & @UN attention, #Syria's regime continues to refuse to provide access to prisons or detention records.
5. The crisis of the missing & disappeared. - 120,000 people remain missing, assumed in #Assad...
6. The specter of chemical weapons remains:
- Since 2012, #Assad regime forces have conducted 340 verified chemical attacks, with virtual impunity.
- For ~2yrs, #Assad has blocked @OPCW visas, amid intelligence that a CW program remains active in non-inspected sites.
6. The specter of chemical weapons remains: - Since 2012, #Assad regime forces have conducted 340 v...
7. The 'Gazafication' of #Idlib
- 3.7 million civilians (~70% displaced) remain in a pocket of NW #Syria controlled by #HTS (a former #AlQaeda affiliate), guaranteed by #Turkey.
- #Russia & #Assad bomb the region near-daily.
- #Russia may sever all aid access in January 2023.
7. The 'Gazafication' of #Idlib - 3.7 million civilians (~70% displaced) remain in a pocket of NW...
8. The 'detainee dilemma' in NE #Syria.
- 12,000 #ISIS fighters in a network of makeshift, insecure prisons.
- 60,000 women (30%) & children (70%) from #ISIS's "state" in secured camps.
No solution at hand.
At rate of child repatriation, it'll take 30+ years to get them home.
8. The 'detainee dilemma' in NE #Syria. - 12,000 #ISIS fighters in a network of makeshift, insecure...
8. The 'detainee dilemma' in NE #Syria. - 12,000 #ISIS fighters in a network of makeshift, insecure...
9. With 900 troops in NE/E #Syria, the U.S. is key to stabilizing ~25% of the country.
- Combat #ISIS & prevent resurgence
- Support Syrian #SDF partners & fledgling governance project
At minimal cost:
- 5 soldiers lost in combat in 8yrs
- 0.4% of DOD's annual budget.
9. With 900 troops in NE/E #Syria, the U.S. is key to stabilizing ~25% of the country. - Combat #IS...
10. There's no end in sight.
Leaving #Syria's crisis to fester = a recipe for disaster.
A U.S/Western disengagement will leave a vacuum *only* for malign actors: #ISIS, #Russia, #Iran etc.
#Syria's crisis threatened global stability in 2011-15 -- it can easily happen again.
10. There's no end in sight. Leaving #Syria's crisis to fester = a recipe for disaster. A U.S/West...

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