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Political and Administrative Vision for Syria After Change (1 – 3)

Since the Baath coup on March 8, 1963, the Syrian authority has transformed the state from a public space for all citizens to a private space for loyalists to the security apparatus. Herein lies the importance of presenting an alternative political vision for future Syria post-change, centered around key political questions: affirming the state's neutrality as the state of all components of Syrian society, determining the form of the political system, the administrative system of the new political regime, and addressing issues of the state, citizenship, public and individual freedoms, as well as a foreign policy that serves the project of rebuilding a new Syria. In this context, we recognize that, following the societal destruction witnessed in Syria, especially since 2011, there are significant difficulties that will confront the transitional phase, which is one of the most critical issues for Syria's future.
The peaceful popular movement began in March 2011 after the absence of political and civic life for fifty years. One could say that the popular movement, in one of its most significant aspects, aimed to recover politics and practice it.
So, what institutions are capable of producing a new political life for all components of the Syrian people, and are qualified to reproduce the modern state in a way that transforms the current chaos into a constructive process, not based on conflict but on a comprehensive Syrian national pact? What needs to be changed? How can the security state be dismantled? How can the political system be re-instituted to establish a democratic regime that facilitates change at all levels?
Undoubtedly, this requires restructuring the political system, launching the freedom to form parties and civil society organizations, restructuring the security apparatus, building a modern national army, as well as ensuring guarantees for fair elections, transitional justice, and national reconciliation. Thus, it seems that the potential for politics in our society hinges on changing the rules of power production, its functioning mechanisms, and forms of practice.
The Expected Political Life in Future Syria
The future of Syria depends on a genuine political transition that ends the tyranny and replaces it with a democratic regime. After the change, it is essential to re-establish the political system, starting with reorganizing the new administration and political life, enabling the generation of an effective civil society and influential political parties that gain sufficient trust from the public. The goal is to restore citizens' confidence in the state, necessitating consensus among Syrians to create new foundations leading to a "new social contract."
The process of democratic transition in Syria involves numerous challenges, as it responds to a complex situation that begins with politics and does not end with societal destruction and the disruption of human relations among the components of the Syrian people.
In this context, if the forces of change do not recognize the difficulties surrounding the transitional phase and formulate approaches to effectively engage with these challenges, by seeking to build national consensuses, achieving stability seems nearly impossible.
Here, the importance of civil society organizations emerges, as they enhance positive values among Syrian citizens by initiating national dialogue on issues that concern the public interest.
The catastrophe faced by the Syrian people necessitates adopting a modern constitution that guarantees the protection of fundamental freedoms and civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights—both collective and individual—for all Syrians based on equality among them.
To ensure a genuine political life, we can draw from the experiences of democratic change movements the following key lessons:
1. Democratic transformation requires continuous cumulative work, leading us not to indulge in the illusion of rapid political change.
2. Since democracy is a cumulative process that relies on the presence of a democratic culture, there is no guarantee that change will directly lead to achieving democracy.
The success of the transition process depends on the availability of: intensive political awareness for broad sectors of youth and women, forming a broad "historical bloc" of political forces working for the success of this option, leveraging international support for the democratic option, and cutting off paths for counter-revolutionary forces.
2: Options for the Political System's Shape
In the post-change phase, selecting the appropriate political system—presidential, parliamentary, or mixed—is crucial to avoid political instability. An inappropriate choice may lead to crises that threaten civil peace, especially if the political and social tensions that Syria has experienced over the past fourteen years persist.
For the best option, we will review the main characteristics of the three political systems, and then determine the most suitable system for future Syria:
- **Presidential System**: In this system, executive powers are concentrated in the hands of the President, allowing major parties to dominate decision-making in a constitutional process that often veers toward a rigid separation of powers, often leading back to dictatorship. Syria seems to need a political system that ensures plurality, based on wide participation from political forces, and guarantees stability.
- **Parliamentary System**: This system features a dual executive authority, where the ministry is accountable to
Dr. Abdullah Turkmani
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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