Rami Makhluf

The Syrian people have shown real wisdom in assessing the Syrian regimes.  For years, the Syrian people spoke about the Makhluf and never trusted the anti-corruption promises of the Hafidh and then of Bashshar. Syrians used to have a code name for Rami Makhluf when they talked on the phone.  By the way, no one mentioned Rami Makhluf's business connections in the Gulf.  The entire relationship between Asad regime and GCC countries is never broached in the Western press: not only Qatar but also Saudi Arabi. Al-Walid bin Talal has been very close to Bashshar and the opening of the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus is only one of the many investments of Al-Walid.