An economist's role in the fall of Syria's government
Dec 12, 2024
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Discover the inspiring journey of a Syrian economist exiled by civil war, who continues to fight for freedom from afar. He uncovers troubling financial patterns of how the Assad regime exploits humanitarian aid. This story not only highlights the resilience of individuals committed to change but also reveals the significant risks faced by those providing crucial information about economic mismanagement during the conflict.
Karam Shaar's economic analysis of humanitarian aid misuse revealed the Assad regime's manipulation of exchange rates, impacting millions in aid funding.
The personal risks faced by Karam and his collaborators highlight the dangers that exiled professionals endure while advocating for accountability in oppressive regimes.
Deep dives
The Role of Exiled Economists in Conflict Resolution
One Syrian economist, Karam Shah, made significant contributions to the resistance against the Assad regime while living abroad. After witnessing the brutal crackdown on protests in Syria, he left the country for Malaysia and eventually settled in New Zealand. Driven by guilt and a desire to help his homeland, Karam shifted his focus towards Syrian economic issues, employing analysts and open-source intelligence experts to investigate the economic strategies used against the regime. His experience highlights how exiled professionals can leverage their expertise to influence significant political changes from a distance.
Economic Manipulations and Humanitarian Aid
Karam uncovered serious flaws in how humanitarian aid money was being misappropriated by the Assad government. He revealed that the Syrian central bank was inflating the official exchange rate for Syrian pounds, meaning that aid organizations were unknowingly losing significant portions of their funding when converting currencies. For example, he estimated that approximately half of every million dollars exchanged through official channels could end up enriching the regime rather than assisting those in need. This breach of trust prompted international pressure, leading to reforms that potentially redirected around $65 million annually away from the Assad regime.
The Dangers of Accountability Work in Syria
Karam's dedication to accountability in Syrian governance came at a high personal cost, as he relied on contacts within the country to gather information. Tragically, this resulted in the arrest of two individuals who collaborated with him, with one facing severe charges and a looming death sentence. The distress of this situation underscored the risks faced by those advocating for justice and transparency under oppressive regimes. However, with the fall of the Assad regime, Karam found relief knowing that his contact was among those released from prison, which brought a glimmer of hope and a reaffirmation of his commitment to continued scrutiny of the Syrian situation.
In 2012, Karam Shaar had to leave his home country of Syria due to the civil war. But he still wanted to make a difference. Through his economic analysis, he uncovered concerning patterns about how the Assad regime and its cronies were siphoning money from humanitarian aid. Today on the show, the story of how one Syrian exile contributed to the resistance while on the other side of the world.
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