Syria

Blueprints for a New Syria: What International Law Says About Statebuilding

What does rebuilding a country look like after dictatorship and war? In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio explore the legal foundations of post-conflict statebuilding.  From forming transitional institutions to writing a new constitution, they discuss what legal principles actually apply and how they can help post-conflict societies avoid falling back into repression.  How is legitimacy built after a regime falls? And what role should international actors play without taking over the process? With lessons from Kosovo, Sudan, Nepal, and Tunisia, tune in as they break down the legal foundations of rebuilding after war and the choices that will shape the next chapter of any post-conflict transition.Music credit:🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺

What Happens After the Guns Go Quiet? Rethinking Security in Post-War Transitions

When the war ends, the real work begins.  Disarming fighters, dismantling militias, and rebuilding security institutions are some of the toughest and most politically charged tasks in any post-conflict transition.  In this episode, Heba Bawaieh sits down with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio to unpack the two pillars of post-war security: Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR).  Together, they explore how countries can move from war to peace without repeating the same cycles of violence.  What does meaningful reintegration look like in fragmented conflicts? Can abusive security forces be reformed or should they be dismantled entirely? And how do international legal standards shape who is included, who is held accountable, and who gets to carry weapons in the new state? With lessons from other transitions, this episode tackles the hard choices that define peace after the battlefield goes quiet.Music credit:🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺

Inclusive for Whom? Rethinking Inclusivity in Post-War Statebuilding

Everyone says peacebuilding should be ‘inclusive.’ But what does that actually mean? Who gets to decide? In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in post-conflict transitions.  From peace negotiations to transitional justice to post-war governance, they examine how inclusion can either build a foundation for lasting peace or reinforce elite control under a new name.  Can inclusion be meaningful rather than just symbolic? Does sequencing participation help or hurt? And what models have worked, or failed, in places like South Africa, Nepal, Sudan, and Lebanon? With a spotlight on Syria’s unfolding transition, this episode digs into the stakes, trade-offs, and power struggles that define who gets a voice when war ends but politics begin.  Tune in for a deep dive into inclusion beyond the buzzwords.Music credit:🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺

Rebuilding Syria: Truth, Trials, and Transition

When authoritarian regimes collapse and wars come to an end, one question looms over everything: What happens next? As Syria faces the task of rebuilding after years of war and dictatorship, difficult issues will emerge. From prosecuting war crimes to reforming security forces, from truth commissions to political reintegration, the road ahead is full of tough questions. Can justice and stability go hand in hand, or will one come at the expense of the other? What lessons can Syria draw from other post-conflict transitions? And how can Syrians ensure that justice is not just a slogan, but a foundation for lasting peace? In this episode, host Heba Bawaieh speaks with Dr. Paul Williams and Professor Milena Sterio to unpack these critical questions and challenges. Tune in as we break it all down.Music credit:🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺

Syria After Bashar Al-Assad: The 2016 Roadmap to Peace

What could a post-Assad Syria look like? In 2016, amid the chaos of war, Syria’s opposition united in Geneva to draft a visionary roadmap; a plan for democracy, justice, and institution rebuilding. Now, with the historic ousting of Bashar al-Assad, this blueprint takes on new relevance as Syrians face the challenge of shaping their future.
In this episode, Heba Bawaieh, Dr. Paul Williams, and Professor Milena Sterio explore how the opposition crafted this groundbreaking plan, what it entails, and if it remains a critical guide for navigating Syria’s new reality.
With challenges ahead and opportunities within reach, this episode reflects on a time when Syrians, as part of an eclectic and diverse opposition group, worked tirelessly for two years to craft a plan aimed at shaping their nation's future.Music credit:🕰️ Mystery Music (No Copyright) - "Signal To Noise" by ‪@ScottBuckley‬ 🇦🇺