Our civic education programs are aimed at promoting freedom, peace and justice. The Syria/Iraq Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, located in Beirut, Lebanon, was founded in September 2015 and deals with the political and socio-economic situation in both countries. Our work focuses on the following areas of activity: research and implementation of educational measures (especially conferences, seminars, dialogue programs) regarding the stability of the Middle East, good governance, the refugee situation, the security policy implications of the war in Syria as well as the situation after the military defeat of the so-called Islamic State (IS).

Syria and Jordan share a long history as well as longstanding economic and diplomatic relations. With the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011 these deteriorated, leading Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to accuse Jordan of being “part of the war on Syria” in 2017. After a decade of cold relations, a series of bilateral meetings between Syrian and Jordanian state officials took place in the summer of 2021, culminating in a phone call between Bashar al-Assad and King Abdullah II of Jordan in October 2021. This accelerated rapprochement of diplomatic ties between the countries is assumed to be part of King Abdullah’s broader regional stabilization plan, that he advocated for during his visit to Washington in July 2021.

While a number of studies has been written about the interests and reasons for Jordan to reengage with the Syrian regime, we want to shine light on Syrian interests and what a reestablishment of Syrian-Jordanian relations could mean for Syria and Syrian refugees worldwide. Furthermore, we would like to explore the repercussions a normalization with the Syrian regime would bring for the region as well as how it could impact European and German policies.

Objectives

Explore the relationship between Syria and Jordan, shedding light on relevant issues. Including but not limited to:

The impact on Syrians within regime controlled and opposition held areas.

The impact on Syrian refugees in Jordan and the region.

How could a Jordanian-Syrian rapprochement affect the relationship between other regional countries and the regime, especially Lebanon?

The effect a normalization of relations would have for the Syrian regime.

The effect it would have on European and German policies in regard to Syria.

Outlook and policy recommendations.

Deliverables

A research paper with approximately 5,000 – 6,000 words on the above-mentioned topic to be delivered until the 15th of December 2022.

Submission

Interested candidates should send:

A 2-page research abstract with a clearly formulated research structure and budget.

An up to date curriculum vitae describing their experience and any other relevant information.

The documents should be submitted by email to info.syrienirak@kas.de latest by 10th of October 2022.