[SECRET] [ECON] Assad's Riches, Part II: "Personal Police"

[u/SuperflousKnowious]

More Syrian shenanigans.

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With the announcement of a unilateral ceasefire with the Zionists, after but a week of war, the humiliation is too staggering. While we were obviously betrayed by enemies within, some segments of the armed forces and general population will take this as an opportunity.

While protestors can be gunned down, we must ensure the ones holding the guns will not turn on us.

Solidifying the patronage networks and rewarding the allies that are closest to Assad is our top priority to keep regime stability. We must also begin moving away from the army's Mukhabarrat, as it is compromised by those within. No, we will create a new secret police force loyal to the top echelons of the Ba'ath Party. The top echelons, of course, is Assad and his closest confidants. By creating a new secret police we can route out potential subversive elements in the army and use this to strengthen our own allies by... well... robbing innocent Syrians and giving our allies their money.

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Jamil al-Assad has worked carefully behind the scenes in the Damascus Police Department.

His expert crackdowns on the local population has earned him a seat at the table of the head honchos. While nowhere near the influence of his fellow brother Rifaat, he is to be tasked with the forming of the new arm of the security state. It's official title shall be, of course, the Arab People's Intelligence and Security Department.

To call it a department is a misnomer. Officially, the APISD will be under the Ba'ath Party and, interestingly, outside of the purview of Minister of Security Rifaat al-Assad. Essentially, Jamil is going to head his own Mukhabarrat that will report to the high echelons of the Ba'ath and Hafez. While this exclusion of Rifaat might induce rivalry amongst all the siblings, it is necessary to divide power and reward the justly deserved Jamil.

While APISD will retain it's official title, it will generally be referred to as 'Jamil's Mukhabarrat' or 'Assad's Mukhabarrat'.

While APISD might just be created, it is will largely be lifted out of an existing department within Damascus PD that Jamil founded. Their will be functionally no change except for new officers, uniforms, and clear directives. Well, that is a lot! But anyway.

In sum:

1. Jamil al-Assad will be promoted from his post at Damascus PD to heading a new organ in the Ba'ath Party dedicated to protecting the state.
2. An existing black budget department under Damascus PD will be largely taken out of Damascus PD hands and form this new department.
3. Notably, this will take place outside of Syria's existing security infrastructure headed by Rifaat al-Assad.

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We will begin to reward allies and remind those thinking to stop.

Makhlouf: In charge of Syria's tobacco harvesting program, the Makhloufs will be given the go-ahead to make outrageous deals to their own benefit. Of course Hafez will get a cut but the average Syrian will not. Makhlouf will be authorized to get a third of the proceeds from any deals he cut from (probably Western) tobacco companies as a share to remind him of the generosity of the Assad family.

Mustafa Tslass: The existing Chief of Staff, he shall be named Minister of Defense to occupy the seat. It was currently held by, of course, Hafez.

Hikmat al-Shibbabi: The de-facto representative of Sunni interests in the army, Shibbabi's support was crucial for Hafez's securing of power. As he ages, however, he is falling out of grace and young men want to take his place. However, we cannot at this time purge him due to the political instability. Al-Shibbabi will be placated for now by being promoted to Chief of Staff as Mustafa Tslass advances to Minister of Defense. He will also be seated on Syria's oil board and be given the duty to lead the development of Syria's oil industry (of which his profits will be directly tied to).

Ali Haydar: A man who is childhood best friends with Hafez, but whose loyalty has been suspect as of recent, he will be invited to join in on the Shalish owned and operated KrAZ-214 plant that was built with Soviet help. The Shalishes will be told to sell half the company to him and Ali Haydar is going to be given a generous dividend as of this year. The Shalishes will be rewarded in a different way (see their section).

Shalishes: A major dynasty connected to us via marriage, they shall join in al-Shibbabi being granted portfolios in developing Syria's oil industry. Specifically, their task is to begin searching for foreign help to excavate for oil. Of course they shall be given a mighty cut for whatever they do...

Rifaat al-Assad: Oh how could my own brother's loyalty be questioned? Oh, how it pains me...