Overview

This account by Bassma Kodmani details her passionate fight for democratic change in Syria. It is both her personal testimony and a unique historical document. As a westernised Syrian intellectual who, in 2011, became a figure of the Syrian opposition in exile, her candid narrative sheds fresh light on this conflict with its multiple twists and turns drawn from her direct involvement over a decade. Kodmani participated in and initiated meetings and negotiations with diplomats and politicians from around the world. Her testimony covers the exclusive behind-the-scenes revelations about conversations with local and international officials and follows the mutations of the Syrian conflict. The missed opportunities, broken promises and the changing positions of some of the world’s most important leaders revealed in this book illuminate the regional geopolitics of the Syrian conflict that are still unresolved today. An important source for scholars in Syria studies, Kodmani's personal reflections add a human element to the political analysis.

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9780755658213

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Reviews

The book is a gripping account filled with revealing narratives about the early stages of the Syrian uprisings. It offers an in-depth exploration of the political aspects of the revolt, highlighting the divisions and complexities within the opposition. The vivid storytelling and first-hand insights provide a compelling look into the dynamics and struggles of this tumultuous period. -- Asaad Alsaleh, Associate Professor, Indiana University, US Kodmani's book, posthumously completed by her sister and colleagues, admirably captures the many different hats she wore in trying to improve the condition of the Syrian people. I interacted with Bassma on several occasions, and I was always impressed with her passion and intellect. She was indefatigable, so much so that her words have survived her. This is an essential volume for anyone interested in the efforts to combat authoritarianism in Syria and the transition to the post-Assad era. It is the full expression of her optimism and pessimism, hope and despair, all reflecting the agony of a brutal civil war and the hope for a better future in Syria * David Lesch, Professor, Trinity University, USA * In this fascinating, detailed and often very moving insider’s account of the Syrian opposition after 2011, Bassma Kodmani is unsparing in her view of the Assad dictatorship but also of the ambitions and vulnerabilities of the opposition forces and their international backers. Thanks to the editors, her voice is now clearly heard, bearing poignant witness to the hopes of a democratic Syria. * Charles Tripp, Professor, SOAS, UK * This is a rare testimony from the Syrian revolution that brings readers through Syria’s evolving crises, the internal fragmentation of the opposition, and the global diplomatic paralysis that enabled years of violent conflict. Kodmani’s critical assessment of the revolution’s failures reveals the many culprits complicit in Syria’s tragedy. * Samer Abboud, Professor, Villanova University, USA * For anyone involved in peace building, reading these accounts of Syria’s transition out of violent conflict is tragic as well as empowering. Basma Kolani wanted to be a quiet diplomat, using her scholarly analysis and peace activism to support the revolution. Instead, she took on the role of a high level negotiator – the only woman in rooms full of men. She crossed oceans, dealing with crisis after crisis, engaging with governments, and travelling to places to talk to people that no-one else would talk to. She never gave up believing that the mosaic of identities and co-existence of minorities were part of Syria’s future. This book is a testimonial in helping us to understand what the life of an extraordinary Arab woman looks like. * Monica McWilliams, Professor, Ulster University, Ireland * ""This book is a candid and inspiring account of the creation and the travails of the Syrian opposition movement following the 2011 Syrian uprisings. The author, the only woman leader in the movement, offers a unique, behind-the-scene perspective about how to navigate the arcane world of peace negotiations, particularly when driven by men."" * Youssef Mahmoud, Senior Advisor Emeritus, International Peace Institute, USA *

The book is a gripping account filled with revealing narratives about the early stages of the Syrian uprisings. It offers an in-depth exploration of the political aspects of the revolt, highlighting the divisions and complexities within the opposition. The vivid storytelling and first-hand insights provide a compelling look into the dynamics and struggles of this tumultuous period. -- Asaad Alsaleh, Associate Professor, Indiana University, US

Author Information

Bassma Kodmani (1959-2023) was a leading figure of the exiled Syrian opposition who devoted much of her career to the democratisation of the Arab world. A prominent expert in Middle Eastern affairs, she held a doctorate in political science from Sciences Po, France and was the founding executive director of the Paris-based Arab Reform Initiative. In 2011 she co-founded the Syrian National Council, the first coalition of opponents to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. She served as head of foreign relations and spokesperson for the body and was a leading member of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, participating in United Nations-hosted meetings in Geneva from 2016.

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