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Haid Haid

Haid Haid is a Syrian columnist and a senior consulting research fellow of the Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Program. Previously, he was a program manager on Syria and Iraq at the Heinrich Böll Foundation Middle East Office in Beirut. He also worked as a senior community services protection assistant at UNHCR’s Damascus office. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a postgraduate diploma in counseling, master’s degrees in social development and conflict resolution as well as a PhD in war studies. His main research interests include security, conflict, governance, non-state actors and preventing and countering violent extremism.

Articles By Haid Haid

Drugs and Politics Keep Syrian Exports Out of Iraq By Haid Haid - Mar 24, 2023

Syrian freight trucks containing everything from food to clothes destined for Iraq are languishing at Al Qaim border crossing despite a deal having been reached to settle a long-running dispute more than two months ago. Iraqi and Syrian officials began talks to fully reopen the crossing in 2021, finally reaching an agreement on January 5 this year to allow Syrian freight trucks to enter Iraq through … Continue reading “Drugs and Politics Keep Syrian Exports Out of Iraq”

With Russia in Their Sights, Chechens Depart Syria for Ukraine By Haid Haid - Mar 13, 2023

When Syrian mercenaries first began appearing a few years ago in other conflicts, such as in Libya and Azerbaijan, analysts wondered whether the fighters might eventually make their way to Ukraine. By contrast, few have paid attention to what role foreign fighters in Syria, particularly jihadists, might eventually play in Europe. That tunnel vision helps explain … Continue reading “With Russia in Their Sights, Chechens Depart Syria for Ukraine”

Assad’s Rule Complicates Syrian Earthquake Recovery By Haid Haid - Feb 22, 2023

The human toll of the massive earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria this month has been devastating. Combined, more than 46,000 people have perished, millions of children are now homeless, and entire communities have been obliterated. While Turkey has borne the brunt of the disaster – deaths there have surpassed 40,000 – Syria’s crisis is no less … Continue reading “Assad’s Rule Complicates Syrian Earthquake Recovery”

The End of the Road for Syria’s Opposition? By Haid Haid - Jan 29, 2023

Turkey’s efforts to normalize diplomatic relations with the Syrian regime have fueled unease among Syria’s armed opposition groups, leading some opponents of President Bashar Al Assad’s government to fear the end of their decade-long cause. Among those most concerned is Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist political and armed organization that controls most of northwest Syria. While there is no evidence … Continue reading “The End of the Road for Syria’s Opposition?”

Nothing to Celebrate in Syria’s New Budget By Haid Haid - Jan 20, 2023

Last month, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad approved a 2023 draft budget of 16.5 trillion Syrian pounds. Official media celebrated the figure, a 24 percent increase from the previous year. But viewing the budget based on its value in local currency is misleading. With inflation factored in, the 2023 budget proposal is in fact the lowest ever in US dollar value. Even when calculated … Continue reading “Nothing to Celebrate in Syria’s New Budget”