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Syrian conflict: Power-sharing or sectarian authoritarianism?

At first glance, the ongoing Syrian conflict presented and coded as an ethno-sectarian civil war moving towards a decisive military victory by Bashar Al-Assad's regime.
Such a conclusion is expressed by Syrian government officials emphasizing their intention to retain an absolute hold on power. The upcoming so-called 'presidential elections' on the 26th of May will definitely re-elect "re-appoints" Al-Assad which affirm the regime's view and intention. Consequently, it seems the Syrian experience of conflict confirms those power-sharing agreements are more likely when no side can prevail on the battlefield. However, the civil war is a proxy war with high levels of regional and international intervention, both state and non-state actors alike. As a result, Syrian territories have been divided into three regional governments- Russia, Iran and Hezbollah are backing the Syrian regime and have a direct stake in the terms on which Syria's conflict ends. Similarly, Turkey now occupies parts of northwest and northeast Syria, mainly the Kurdish areas, and has placed all of these occupied areas under the authority of the provincial governor of its own Turkish province. Whereas, the Kurdish areas in the northeast lead by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Given these circumstances, the Syrian regime still attempts to reimpose its monopoly rule over a unified Syrian state on all country's territory and so far in the name of "national sovereignty". Despite its dependence on the Russian military and economic support, the regime has rejected UN resolution (2254) and still not responding, practically, to diplomatic efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement or tendency to share power. Simultaneously, Turkey-backed Syrian opposition seems is sharing the same views with the Assad's regime in terms of rejection of power-sharing or self-governance and call for a central state based on sectarian and Islamic ideology following Turkey's agendas first.
Throughout the Syrian conflict, both sides- Assad's regime and the opposition have been rejected any forms of power-sharing, and decentralization such as regional autonomy or federation that would protect country’s unity. They argue, such a system of power-sharing will threaten the state sovereignty and unity, and eventually so will divide the country, despite the fact that Syria has, in fact, been divided by internal and external actors.
Nevertheless, the Syrian conflict is not over, and there is still a chance for Syria to rule some kind of power‐sharing agreement. Therefore, Syria’s experience offers some insights into how non‐negotiated, imposed power‐sharing frameworks might emerge as the result of external intervention in the Syrian civil war. The international system is full of such hybrid forms of imposed power‐sharing that cannot be ruled out as possible features of an outcome in the Syrian case. The most common cases are imposed or de facto forms of power‐sharing, the Syrian conflict for example, in which external actors engage with local authorities directly, otherwise the country much more likely to face eventual division.
by: Zara Saleh
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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