The Peacemaker Blog

One year after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria stands at a crossroads. The 14-year civil war has ended, leaving behind a landscape scarred by conflict, but also rich with opportunity. Among the nation's greatest assets are its ancient sites—six UNESCO World Heritage locations, including Palmyra, Aleppo, and Damascus, alongside lesser-known gems like Apamea. These remnants of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations could become engines of economic

In international reporting or business operations abroad, a fixer is an indispensable local expert who bridges cultural, linguistic, and logistical gaps. In journalism, fixers are often local journalists who arrange interviews, provide translation, ensure safety, and offer contextual insights for foreign correspondents. In business contexts, the term can refer to consultants who navigate regulatory hurdles, facilitate deals, or resolve operational issues in unfamiliar markets

Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and a historic crossroads of cultures along the Tigris River, endured profound devastation during the Islamic State (IS) occupation from 2014 to 2017 and the subsequent liberation battle. The conflict reduced much of the Old City—home to centuries-old mosques, churches, and residential quarters—to rubble, displacing nearly half the population and leaving an estimated 7-8 million tonnes of debris. Eight years after liberation, reconstruction e