Southern Syria—one of the main gateways for drugs to the rest of the region—is extremely complex, with actors from varying nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, interests, and loyalties.

This is often viewed as a major threat. Given the current context, I think it’s more of an opportunity.

Empowering the right actors—and there are many in Sweida and Daraa—would be far more productive than “working with” the Assad regime or hopelessly bombing supposed production and smuggling points.