The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Office of Strategic Consulting held an online panel discussion on the upcoming US elections, the candidates’ position on Syria, and the options in front of the Syrian revolution following the elections.
The discussion, which brought together 60 participants, was moderated by Coordinator of the Strategic Consulting Office, Ahmed Ramadan. Keynote speakers included members of the SOC’s political committee and General Assembly, experts, researchers, and activists.
President of the Syrian American Council, Zaki Lababidi, talked about the US policy on Syria, pointing out that Washington’s policy on Syria draws upon its overall policy on the Middle East.
Lababidi said that it is highly unlikely that there will a major change in the US policy on the region, adding that US-Russian understandings are key to a real political solution in Syria.
Participants discussed the Caesar Act sanctions as they stressed the need to expand the sanctions lists to include Russian, Iranian and Lebanese individuals who continue to shore up the Assad regime.
They also discussed the impact of the US elections on the Caesar Act as Lababidi explained that the Caesar Act is not a presidential act, but rather was approved by the US Congress, so the new president cannot stop it.
Participants stressed the role of the Syrian community in the United States in strengthening communication with US officials, mobilizing support for the cause of the Syrian people, and clarifying the true goals of the Syrian revolution, namely to regain freedom, dignity and bring about a democratic transition. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
