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Middle East Analysis

Where are Syrian Youth Heading?

By Sami Moubayed, Syrian political analyst (Gulf News)

posted on 03/24/08

When President Bashar Al Assad came to power at the age of 34 in 2000, many young Syrians were optimistic that somebody their age was now in charge and would cater to their numerous grievances. Syria after all has a youthful population with 5 million people between the age of 7 and 18. Over 60 per cent are below the age of 25. They wanted better education … [and] the opportunity to find respectable well-paying jobs in Syria. They wanted banking services that enabled them to buy a house, own a car and settle down into family life. …

At first glance, many of that has indeed taken place. Economic growth rate has jumped from 2.6 per cent for 2003 (when GDP had reached $20 billion) to 5.6 per cent in 2006. … Banks have opened in Syria and they are now financing up to 70 per cent-100 per cent house and car loans. … [However] A closer look, shows that many of the problems that existed in 2000 are still around in 2008. According to Abdullah Dardari, the Deputy Prime Minister, unemployment during the age of 16-24 remains high, over 18 per cent. Banks do not provide loan services for people without sufficient tangible collateral. …

An indicator of where Syrian youth are heading can be found in a survey I recently administered … at one of the new universities in Syria. I asked them to name their favorite former non-Syrian, Arab leader. Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the UAE came in first, with 54 percent. The favorite non-Arab leader was Mahatir Mohammad, who is to Malaysia what Zayed is to the UAE. … Lagging way behind were revolutionary leaders such as Jamal Abdul Nasser and Yasser Arafat. These young Syrians were more impressed by a leader who could attract investment, create jobs and build a success story for his country from scratch … than one who preached revolutionary socialism and promised to defeat the State of Israel. Access the full article>>