After more than 40 years of regime dictatorship, corruption and mismanagement, the Syrian armed forces are in a poor state. One of the main reasons is that advancement in the armed forces is connected not with ability, but with political and sectarian affiliation. This has had a detrimental impact on the capabilities and morale of soldiers and officers. We believe that the military should be free of sectarianism, and should be politically neutral.

The structure and weaponry of the army is largely obsolete. It is still reliant on Cold War technology and Soviet military doctrine, both of which are now outdated and unsuitable for the modern battlefield. Conscription creates an overly-large but poorly trained and ill-disciplined army, where bullying and abuse is rife. Syria should move towards a smaller, professional, more mobile army that is better equipped and trained, and which can carry out rapid deployments. Creating a professional army will also greatly limit the scope for corruption, as well as raising the standards of living for the average soldier. 

Accommodation for families of servicemen is inadequate and should be greatly improved. They should not live in isolated communities lacking in basic services as is the case now. They should be integrated into mainstream society. Rooting the armed forces in civilian society reduces the chances of militarism, elitism and anti-democratic tendencies.