Will the West move quickly enough to lift the sanctions imposed by Assad on Syria? | Syria war

The United Nations says that seven out of ten Syrians need humanitarian assistance after 13 years of war.

An estimated $500 billion is needed to rebuild their country.

The new Syrian administration has made diplomatic efforts in the past two weeks to persuade Western powers to quickly lift the sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

But these governments want to see progress towards comprehensive and democratic governance in Syria.

Fears are growing that the euphoria that followed Assad’s fall could give way to frustration and violence if the process is delayed.

Will the West be ready to lift sanctions – and quickly?

Can Syria’s new rulers make the necessary changes to gain the trust of world powers?

Presenter: Neve Parker

Guests:

Ammar Qahf – Executive Director of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies

Hind Qabawat – Director of Interfaith Peacebuilding at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University

Fadi Diop – Executive Director of Local Development and Small Enterprise Support, a Syrian non-governmental organization