Dareen Khalifa

Dareen Khalifa, Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group, brings her deep expertise on Syrian affairs to the conversation. She discusses the aftermath of the Assad regime's fall, including the formation of a new interim government by the rebel group HTS. Khalifa delves into the implications of designating HTS as a terrorist entity and the humanitarian crises affecting Syrian refugees. The talk also highlights the emerging role of rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani and the challenges of governance in a post-Assad landscape.

In this discussion, Berkay Mandıracı, a Turkey expert, Lahib Higel, an Iraq analyst, and Dareen Khalifa, a senior dialogue advisor, dive into the implications of the PKK's ceasefire declaration. They dissect the motivations behind Turkey's initiative and its effects on the PKK's leadership in Iraq. The conversation also encompasses how this ceasefire impacts relations with Iraq and the dynamics in northeastern Syria, including the challenges faced by the Syrian Democratic Forces amid Turkish military pressures and evolving regional alliances.

Dareen Khalifa, a seasoned dialogue advisor at Crisis Group, and Nanar Hawach, a Syria expert from Homs, delve into the tumultuous future of Syria post-Assad. They discuss the implications of the HTS offensive, the disbandment of regime forces, and the struggles of new leadership under Ahmed al-Sharaa. They touch on the integration of rebel factions, security challenges faced by minorities, and the delicate balance of U.S. interests amid the risk of a resurgent Islamic State. Political transformation and the quest for stability in a fragmented landscape are key themes.