Before time runs out. What is required

A realistic and contemplative reading of the recent Syrian scene:

Under the current circumstances, there is a fear among many of the people of this wounded nation, namely the repercussions of the overthrow of the Assad regime turning into a civil war or total chaos, and this is considered a legitimate concern as is clear and obvious.

The question that is being asked at this time is:

The Syrian-Syrian dialogue between the various national forces, in light of this sensitive phase that Syria is currently going through, will it constitute an entry point to stability and salvation from any other tragedy that may befall the Syrians after all the tragedies they have suffered?

Certainly, the Syrian-Syrian dialogue between the multi-directional national forces can be considered an essential tool in this sensitive phase that Syria is going through. The hoped-for dialogue must aim to unify the efforts of the national forces with all their currents and different spectra in order to reach a common vision for building a new Syria, far from divisions and dispersion as desired by many forces and countries that do not want good for our country.

We can summarize the importance of this dialogue in the following points:

1- Establishing political stability:

In light of this stage and after the fall of the Damascus government regime, dialogue can be the first step towards establishing a new political system based on democracy, pluralism and social justice, far from the one-sided mentality, whether religious, national, sectarian or denominational (we are beginning to see some of its signs now).

2- Addressing internal issues:

Dialogue will provide an opportunity to address pressing issues, such as: establishing security, providing mechanisms for providing services to citizens, developing reconstruction plans, the return of Syrian refugees from abroad, rebuilding institutions that promote the rule of law and human rights, and establishing coexistence among all components as first-class citizens and establishing it within a democratic constitution.

3- Reducing external interventions:

Internal dialogue among Syrians will reduce the chances of imposing external agendas on the future of Syria, as the Syrians have suffered since the beginning of the crisis, especially what they have faced as a result of the policies of the Turkish occupation.

Thus, the decision will be placed in the hands of the Syrians themselves.

Therefore, dialogue will help build bridges of trust between the different components of Syrian society, paving the way for fruitful cooperation in the future.

Dialogue can be a platform to discuss ways to achieve justice in this transitional phase and national reconciliation among Syrians, which helps in overcoming the painful past and looking forward to a bright future.

The success of this dialogue will depend largely on the existence of a sincere political will on the part of all parties, and the creation of a climate that allows for the expression of different opinions without excluding or accusing one party of treason at the expense of another.

Current Required Tasks:

We have pointed out the importance of Syrian-Syrian dialogue at this stage to avoid any catastrophic scenarios, through taking the following quick steps:

1- Preventing Political Vacuum:

Falling the Damascus government without an agreed-upon alternative could create a political vacuum that extremist parties or external forces, which do not wish well for Syria, could exploit. Therefore, national dialogue will provide an opportunity to establish a clear transitional plan that enjoys broad popular acceptance.

2- Learning from Previous Lessons:

Looking at the experiences of other countries that experienced political vacuums after the fall of ruling regimes (such as Libya, Iraq, and Yemen) can guide Syrians to avoid the same mistakes by building strong, democratic, and inclusive institutions.

3- Managing the Transitional Phase:

By taking dialogue as a starting point, it can be agreed to form a transitional body or government that includes all national parties, ensuring that the transitional phase is managed smoothly and away from slipping into chaos.

4- Ensuring Comprehensive Representation:

Constructive dialogue will enhance the representation of all components of Syrian society; this step will reduce religious, sectarian, ethnic, and national tensions that could lead to a civil war.

5- Dismantling Violence Tools:

Dialogue can include mechanisms for disarming irregular armed groups and merging them within the elected government institutions or rehabilitating them; this limits the likelihood of violence erupting, which is a sensitive and pivotal point that must be agreed upon while maintaining the specificity of the regions, and also requires further deliberation and extensive discussion on that.

6- Rebuilding Trust among Parties:

After 14 years of conflict, dialogue will play an important role in reducing suspicions among different parties; this contributes to laying the groundwork for future cooperation.

7- Wisely Dealing with External Interventions:

National dialogue will place Syria on a path that protects it from becoming a battleground for settling scores between regional and international powers, giving the Syrian people a chance to determine their destiny.

We can say that there is no way or alternative to comprehensive dialogue based on a shared national vision to avoid chaos and preserve the unity and sovereignty of Syria and the safety of its people for all its components and culture.

Current Phase and the Importance of Implementing the International Resolution /2254/:

There is an importance to implementing the international resolution /2254/ in the current phase which can be outlined as follows:

1- Establishing a Roadmap to End the Conflict:

Resolution /2254/ adopted by the United Nations in 2015 will provide a comprehensive framework for settling the Syrian crisis. This resolution, after the fall of Assad, serves as a legal and political reference to guide the political process and prevent the vacuum or chaos present in some Syrian areas, especially those occupied by Turkey.

2- Achieving Political Transition:

Resolution /2254/ calls for the establishment of a credible and inclusive transitional governing body, ensuring an organized transfer of power away from divisions or civil conflicts.

3- Enhancing the Unity and Sovereignty of Syria:

Implementing the resolution will prevent the division or fragmentation of the temporary or later elected Syrian government and emphasizes its sovereignty and independence away from external interventions.

4- Launching a Constitutional Process:

Resolution /2254/ stipulates the drafting of a new constitution through an inclusive and democratic process, which is essential for building a homeland for all, in which the rights of all components of the Syrian people are guaranteed.

5- Preparing for Democratic Elections:

Resolution /2254/ lays the foundation for conducting free and fair elections under the supervision of the United Nations; this allows for and opens the appropriate ground for fair and democratic representation of the Syrian people.

(Here, the Kurds are invited to unite and set aside all their partisan and ideological differences, laying out a clear political program and discourse; without this, they will face disaster and lose a historical opportunity that may not recur to obtain their rights).

6- Establishing Stability and Reconstruction:

Implementing resolution /2254/ will unfold the door for reconstruction with international assistance, rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure and improving the living conditions of the Syrian people in general.

To implement this decision, the following is required:

1- Commitment to inclusive national dialogue; all political and military forces must engage in a serious dialogue focused on the interests of Syria and its people, away from personal, factional, or partisan agendas.

2- All forces present in Syrian territory should stop military operations and create a safe and stable environment for the political process, meaning abandoning military solutions.

3- Coordination and cooperation with the United Nations and general international efforts to ensure the implementation of the provisions of resolution /2254/, which includes forming a transitional governing body and conducting democratic elections later.

4- Stopping external interventions requires the implementation of resolution /2254/, as those parties seek through their interventions to achieve their own interests at the expense of Syrian stability.

5- The opposition forces and political elites must unify their visions regarding the political transition process and adhere to the outcomes of resolution /2254/.

6- Focus on building government institutions to be strong, rational, and non-sectarian or nationalistic, capable of providing service to all Syrians without discrimination, meaning building a unifying Syrian identity.

7- Ensure the protection of the rights of communities and the mosaic present in Syria, and commitment to transitional justice mechanisms to address the violations that occurred during the war, enhancing the people’s trust in the political process.

Certainly, implementing resolution /2254/ requires a strong political will from all parties and international and regional commitment to support this path as the only option for achieving peace and stability in Syria.

Success in this phase relies on finding a cohesive political and military framework, ensuring continued international and regional support for achieving true and sustainable stability.

Thus, inclusive national dialogue among all national forces, with all their orientations and without excluding anyone, agreeing on a unifying Syrian identity, and implementing UN resolution /2254/ will form the first building block for building a homeland worthy of all Syrians.