22.8.2019
13:00-15:00
Room 229, Psychologicum (Siltavuorenpenger 1 A, 00170 Helsinki)
Nadine Hassouneh: Syria’s Last Opposition Stronghold
With Syria’s conflict(s) approaching its 9th year and with a tangible decrease in international media coverage of the Syrian conflict, the talk will discuss the realities and challenges of Syria’s last opposition stronghold in the northwest of the country; in what is commonly referred to as Idleb. The talk will briefly introduce the conflict’s main actors, drivers, and timeline and provide a visual representation of changes in zones of territorial control between actors throughout the years of the conflict. Consecutively, the talk will discuss forced reconciliation agreements in southern and central Syria and what followed of forced displacement into the northwest of the country. Finally, the talk will discuss the humanitarian, governance, financial, and military situations in northwestern Syria today before it questions the “what next” via presenting a set of potential scenarios.
Nadine Hassouneh completed her PhD in International Conflict Analysis from the University of Kent – Brussels School of International Studies in 2016 where she conducted research on the role of statelessness on the mobilisation of the Palestinians in the diaspora, particularly in Belgium, Jordan, and Lebanon. Upon completing her studies, she worked as a Syria Context and Conflict Analyst with Mercy Corps Regional Office in Amman - Jordan in a role that involved actively researching the military, political, humanitarian, economic, and social developments in Syria and the region to inform programming and operations. The role also involved providing capacity strengthening to Syrian NGOs operating from Syria and the diaspora on issues pertaining to risk and security. Nadine later worked as a Political and Conflict Analyst at iMMAP Regional Office in Amman where she was part of a Research Analysis Unit focused on the production of Stakeholder Reports and Sub-Regional Profiles focusing on Northern and Southern Syria. Her NGO research includes topics related to opposition groups and governance structures, their areas of control and influence, affiliations, financial backing, community perceptions, and service provision, as well as Sub-Regional Profiles providing holistic and comprehensive understandings of northwestern Syria under the lenses of security, economy, society, governance, and service provision. Her academic research revolves around the Palestinians as a stateless diaspora. Nadine is currently a visiting researcher at the University of Helsinki where she is conducting research on humanitarianism and remoteness.