Haid Haid
Haid Haid is a research fellow at the International Center for the Study of Radicalization at King’s College London. He is also a consulting research fellow of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa program.
Articles By
Erdogan’s Olive Branch to Assad is About Turkey’s Next Election By Haid Haid - Apr 29, 2022
Turkey has recently suggested that it wants to establish dialogue with the Syrian government after years of fraught relations. The gesture came as a surprise to many given there is little indication that such talks would lead to any tangible breakthrough. There remains a bitter hostility and distrust between presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar Al … Continue reading “Erdogan’s Olive Branch to Assad is About Turkey’s Next Election”
Will Syrian Mercenaries Make It to the Ukrainian Battlefield? By Haid Haid - Apr 10, 2022
When Russia was building up troops on the Ukrainian border ahead of the February 24 invasion, local sources reported that Syrian fighters were already registering for deployment. Claims that a recruitment effort was underway were not particularly surprising – they mirrored earlier deployments of Syrian mercenaries by Russia in Libya, among other places. These reports gathered steam after President Vladimir Putin gave the green … Continue reading “Will Syrian Mercenaries Make It to the Ukrainian Battlefield?”
Syria’s Emerging Drug Empire Isn’t Going Away Soon By Haid Haid - Feb 10, 2022
Drug trafficking is nothing new in the Middle East but the last decade of conflict has given way to a challenge of endemic proportions. In 2021 alone, 250 million narcotic pills were confiscated. That’s 18 times the amount seized just four years ago. Under Bashar Al Assad’s leadership, Syria has become the focal point for drug … Continue reading “Syria’s Emerging Drug Empire Isn’t Going Away Soon”
The Risks of America’s Restraint in Syria By Haid Haid - Jan 16, 2022
Last year saw a significant increase in the number of attacks against US forces in Syria and that trend has already continued in 2022. Earlier this month, eight missiles fell on a military base hosting American troops in northeast Syria, suggesting that there will be no let-up in the targeting of US soldiers. While no … Continue reading “The Risks of America’s Restraint in Syria”
Assad Picks and Chooses from Jordan’s Goodwill Gestures By Haid Haid - Jan 8, 2022
After suspending political and economic ties with its northern neighbor for nearly 10 years, Jordan is currently going at full speed to try and rebuild relations with the Syrian regime. The kingdom’s rapprochement appears to reflect a growing conviction in the region that engagement with Bashar Al Assad is the best way to preserve one’s own interests. … Continue reading “Assad Picks and Chooses from Jordan’s Goodwill Gestures”