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From 6 Figures.. Transitional President Forms National Security Council in Syria
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The Council's composition lacks any representation of civil society or various ethnic and religious components, raising concerns about the return of security establishment dominance over political dec
The Transitional President of Syria, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, has issued a presidential decree establishing the National Security Council, amid questions about the extent to which this step aligns with aspirations to build a pluralistic state and a system that overcomes the negatives of the past.
Presidential Decree No. (5) of 2025 includes a predominantly security and military composition, with the President himself heading the Council, ostensibly aiming to coordinate and manage security and political policies, without clarifying oversight mechanisms or transparency in the work of this new institution.
According to the decree, the Council's membership consists of six parties including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense, Director of General Intelligence, Minister of Interior, in addition to two advisory seats appointed by the President based on competence and experience, and a specialized technical seat, in clear disregard for representation of civil society, political forces, or different ethnic and religious components.
The decree specifies that Council meetings will be held periodically or upon invitation from the President, with decisions related to national security and challenges made through consultation among members, but without clear specification of voting mechanisms or how to handle disagreements, leaving the door open for presidential dominance over decisions.
The decree stipulates that the tasks of the National Security Council and its working mechanism are determined by directives from the President in line with the supreme national interest, raising concerns about the continuation of a centralized approach to decision-making instead of adopting effective participatory mechanisms appropriate to the nature of the transitional phase.
This decision coincides with major security and political challenges facing Syria, especially following the wave of violence in the coastal region, raising questions about the timing of establishing this Council and whether it represents a response to recent events rather than being part of a comprehensive vision for institutional reform.
The decree indicated that it takes effect from the date of its issuance on 12 Ramadan 1446 AH, corresponding to March 12, 2025 CE, without any reference to prior consultations with political forces or civil society organizations regarding the formation of this important institution, reinforcing fears of unilateral decisions that do not reflect the aspirations of all Syrians.
The effectiveness of this Council in facing complex security and political challenges remains contingent on its ability to overcome traditional authoritarian models and open up to various components of Syrian society, ensuring the building of a governance system that involves everyone in decision-making and prevents the monopolization of power by a particular group or institution.
