Wa'el Alzayat
Wa’el Alzayat is CEO of Emgage, where he provides strategic and operational guidance and management for the organization. He is based in Washington, D.C. Alzayat previously served with distinction as a U.S. Middle East policy expert at the U.S. Department of State for ten years, including as Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power and Syria Outreach Coordinator with Ambassador Robert Ford.
As a first generation Arab and Muslim American, Alzayat has long been a passionate advocate for protecting fundamental American values and freedoms, and increasing the civic engagement of minority communities. Alzayat was recently named Top 10 Inspiring Arab Americans Leaders by Huffington Post.
Abstract
Wa’el Alzayat delivered a compelling reflection on the Syrian people’s enduring pursuit of dignity and democratic reform, framing Syria as a bellwether for the broader MENA region. He emphasized that, after years of systematic repression by the Assad regime, recent political shifts signal a potential turning point, one that demands renewed international engagement centered on justice, accountability, and inclusion.
Alzayat criticized the global response to the Syrian conflict as inconsistent and insufficient, particularly in failing to support civil society and pursue meaningful transitional justice. He stressed that a sustainable future must prioritize Syrian voices, those who have suffered most and continue to advocate for change from within and in exile.
Drawing parallels with democratic norms that have enabled Arab and Muslim communities to thrive in the U.S., Alzayat underscored the need for similar principles, rule of law, pluralism, and rights-based governance, to take root in Syria. His remarks called for a people-centered approach to rebuilding Syria, grounded in solidarity, not geopolitical expediency.
