In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Mr. Giorgio Cafiero on the approach of the Gulf monarchies towards the new government in Syria led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and we will discuss how Gulf countries may end up shaping future events in Syria. After reviewing the posture that the GCC countries maintained towards Syria during the years of the civil war, Mr Cafiero proceeds to discuss how GCC countries reacted to the collapse of the Assad regime and what they have been saying in their public statements. From there, he goes into more detail, discussing how Syrian-Saudi, Syrian-Emirati, and Syrian-Qatari relations may be expected to move forward under the new Syrian government. In conclusion, Mr. Cafiero offers his thoughts on the role of the GCC countries in shaping future events in Syria and the role of GCC countries in influencing the posture of the Trump Administration towards the new Syrian government.
Giorgio Cafiero is the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, and an Adjunct Fellow at the American Security Project. He is a frequent contributor to Al Jazeera, Gulf International Forum, The New Arab, Responsible Statecraft, Stimson Center, and Amwaj.Media. Throughout his career, Mr. Cafiero has consulted many public and private sector entities, briefed diplomats of various countries on Gulf affairs, and worked as a subject matter expert for multinational law firms. Mr. Cafiero holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of San Diego.