The primary cause of President Bashar Assad’s downfall is that he presided over a disintegrating social contract, enabling his enemies to forge new coalitions organized around meeting the everyday needs of Syria’s people. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2024/12/13/world/syria-house-of-cards/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #syria #basharassad #isis #alqaida #russia #iran #corruption
Syria’s kleptocratic rule and a house of cards
Like the fictional mafia family, Assad’s regime relied on kickbacks from wealthy business owners and shaking down foreigners.Barak Barfi (The Japan Times)
