The seismic events in Syria over the past few days can be described as a black swan event, a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to denote an occurrence that is highly improbable yet has a huge impact.
The overthrow of the Baathist government is poised to have significant repercussions, not only within the country but also across the broader region. Whether these consequences will be positive or negative will depend on the choices made by Syria’s interim and long-term leadership.
More than a decade ago, I wrote an article highlighting a significant shift in the Arab world’s centres of gravity in culture, economy and diplomacy. This shift saw the traditional capitals of Cairo, Baghdad, Beirut and Damascus ceding prominence to emerging hubs such as Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Dubai, Doha and Sharjah. The triumph of the Syrian uprising holds the potential to rebalance the haemorrhaging of influence from these once-great cities. It could finally provide an opportunity for one of the Arab world’s traditional leading capitals, battered by decades of corruption, mismanagement and brain drain, to begin reclaiming the mantle it once proudly held.
However, for that to occur, Syria will need a confluence of critical factors to align.
The first and most essential is the establishment of a competent, just, secular and progressive government, consisting of technocrats – one that prioritises the rule of law, inclusivity and equitable governance. Such a government must work to rebuild trust among its citizens, address the deep scars left by years of conflict, and foster a sense of unity and shared purpose. This new government should also engage with friendly states in the Arab world, as well as Turkey, to draw upon their expertise in economic and tourism development. Collaborative partnerships in these fields could provide valuable insights and support, enabling Syria to rebuild its infrastructure, attract investment and create sustainable growth opportunities.
It is essential that the Syrian authorities learn from the best practices implemented across the region including in the Gulf countries. The successes achieved in the UAE demonstrate that similar progress is entirely possible in Syria. The country possesses all the necessary components for stellar success: a strategic geographic location, abundant natural resources, a youthful and ambitious population, a globally spread and successful diaspora, and a wealth of archaeological and historical sites. By using these assets and adopting proven strategies, Syria has the potential to rebuild and thrive, positioning itself as a significant player in the region once again.
Syria must avoid a destructive purge akin to the de-Baathification process led by Paul Bremer during the US-led occupation of Iraq, which effectively hollowed out the Iraqi administration by removing experienced bureaucrats and technocrats. Such actions left Iraq’s institutions weakened and ill-equipped to function, contributing to prolonged instability.
Instead, Syria should prioritise reconciliation and the preservation of institutional knowledge while carefully balancing accountability with the need for administrative continuity and expertise. In attempting to heal some of its scars, Syria could also learn from the experience of Morocco’s Equity and Reconciliation Commission.
Syria has long held a prominent cultural role in the Arab world and its impact on the region can hardly be exaggerated and perhaps is second only to Egypt. It is, after all, where in 1919 the Arabic Language Academy was founded and where significant figures of the Arab Renaissance originated from. It is home to some of the most prominent Arab artists, poets, novelists and cultural leaders who affected not only our language but also our identities as Arabs from North Africa to the Gulf.
However, decades of conflict, underinvestment and governmental overreach have led to a decline in the quality of Syria’s artistic output, including fine art, film, television and theatre. This deterioration mirrors challenges faced across the Arab world due to excessive state interference in cultural production.
As the Egyptian author Ahmed Naji suggests: “Just imagine the cultural and artistic impact that Syria could have if it started producing free drama and cinema.” The current moment offers a critical opportunity for Syrians to relaunch the cultural sector in the country and affirm its position as a trailblazer in the region for free and effective cultural production.
Finally, Syria must harness the skills and resources of all its sons and daughters in the diaspora. This includes not only the refugees and exiles who fled during the past decade and a half of conflict but also those who left decades earlier due to the rise of authoritarian rule. Among them are Syrians who have built successful lives in the West, including the Syrian Jewish community in New York, renowned for their expertise in real estate development and investment. Their contributions could play a vital role in rebuilding the country, provided they are granted equal rights and opportunities to participate in Syria’s future.
The reality is that while it is highly improbable for all these elements to align perfectly, it is not impossible. A crucial factor will be the presence of an often-elusive final ingredient: luck. Will Syria take advantage of this black swan moment, rise to the occasion and soar, or will it falter under the weight of its challenges?
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.
MATCH INFO
Qalandars 109-3 (10ovs)
Salt 30, Malan 24, Trego 23, Jayasuriya 2-14
Bangla Tigers (9.4ovs)
Fletcher 52, Rossouw 31
Bangla Tigers win by six wickets
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CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20QUALIFIER%2C%20ZIMBABWE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%20%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMonday%2C%20June%2019%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESri%20Lanka%20v%20UAE%2C%20Queen%E2%80%99s%20Sports%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20June%2021%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOman%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFriday%2C%20June%2023%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EScotland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETuesday%2C%20June%2027%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIreland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
FIGHT CARD
1. Featherweight 66kg
Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg
Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg
Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg
Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg
Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg
Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg
Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg
Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Abdipatta Abdizhali (KGZ)
9. Featherweight 66kg
Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Barbie
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Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
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The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
The five pillars of Islam
