Credit: Shutterstock/Sun_Shine Lead researchers: Mac Skelton, Joseph Bahout
Partners: American University of Iraq Sulaimani (AUIS), American University of Beirut (AUB)
Duration: January 2026 – December 2026
Countries: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon
Drawing from case studies across Iraq–Syria and Lebanon–Syria borders, the project will develop policy frameworks to support a shift from fragmented, security driven border control toward coordinated systems of formal trade and regulation. The research focuses on strengthening mechanisms such as customs coordination, cross-border payments, and infrastructure governance in key sectors including agriculture, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. To ensure the tools are grounded in local realities and viable for adoption, the project will convene government, private sector, and regional stakeholders in regional capitals and border regions to review, adapt, and validate proposed approaches. The overall aim is to deliver actionable pathways for more efficient, transparent, and cooperative cross border trade governance across the Levant Corridor.
For more information regarding this research, contact [email protected]