Babel: Translating the Middle East
Christoph Reuter: Syria’s War Economy.
Jun 13, 2023
A conversation with award-winning journalist and conflict reporter Christoph Reuter on Syria's war economy, including Captagon, criminal networks, and the intersection between criminal networks and war zones. They also discuss the complexities of the war economy in Syria, the smuggling and trade of Kaptagon, and the challenges in delivering humanitarian and development aid in conflict zones.
32:29
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Quick takeaways
- Syria's war economy facilitates the thriving Captagon smuggling business, with the Assad family playing a significant role in its manufacture and distribution.
- Criminal networks take advantage of the war's lawlessness and the state's focus on suppressing rebellion, engaging in various forms of smuggling to fund their activities, including ISIS smuggling cigarettes and fuel.
Deep dives
Syria's Involvement in Captagon Trade and Arab League Readmission
Syria's readmission to the Arab League may have been linked to Arab government's attempts to crack down on drug smuggling, specifically Captagon. Syria is the main producer of Captagon, and the government is heavily involved in its manufacture and distribution. This drug is in high demand, not only among various militias in Syria, but also in wealthy Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia. The Assad family, specifically based in Latakia, plays a significant role in the thriving Captagon smuggling business.
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