28/05/2026
𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
This afternoon, experts convened by Raffaella A. Del Sarto, Olivier Roy, and Théo Blanc gathered at Villa Schifanoia to kick off a two-day workshop on designing sovereignty in post-Assad Syria, putting the country centre-stage at a moment of significant transition.
In his opening remarks, European University Institute Secretary-General Armando Barucco placed the discussion in historical perspective:
"In the course of its history, Syria has always been a topical place to discuss [...] forms of government, foreign interventions and interference, the dynamics between the centre and the periphery — the many mosaics that shape Syria."
As highlighted by Professor Raffaella del Sarto, "Post-Assad Syria is a topic that has not received much attention in recent months and years, as the world's eyes are on Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon. But we must discuss Syria — it is complex and challenging, and I am happy that we have gathered experts who know what is happening in Syria not just by looking from the outside, but from being on the ground and witnessing the important developments taking place."
For more information on the speakers and the programme: https://loom.ly/Z7mozZE