Syria's 'Damascus Gate': $1.5 Billion Soft Power Initiative
The $1.5 billion price tag raises questions of legitimacy.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Syrian Ministry of Information and the Qatar-linked Al-Maha International Company to establish "Damascus Gate," a pioneering media city in Damascus. This ambitious project will be Syria’s first integrated hub for media, cinematic, and tourism production, with an estimated construction cost of $1.5 billion. “Damascus Gate” is the latest in a series of ambitious projects announced by the new government since the overthrow of former President Assad last December. However, despite its bold vision, the project has sparked growing scepticism due to the perceived inefficacy and opacity of previous billion-dollar initiatives.
Cultural Revival or Ideological Rebranding?
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