Sally Sharif – The Conversation

Colombian soldiers guard the border with Venezuela in Villa del Rosario, Colombia, on Jan. 5, 2026, two days after U.S. forces captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga)

January 13, 2026

The Colombian border is one of the biggest obstacles to building a new Venezuela

Sally Sharif, University of British Columbia

The Colombia-Venezuela border has long fuelled cycles of violence in Colombia. It’s now the main sticking point in any Venezuelan efforts to transition to democracy and the rule of law.

Sheep pass by tanks that belonged to the ousted Assad government, parked in front of a destroyed building in Palmyra, Syria, on Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

February 2, 2025

Syrian regime change: How rebel victories often lead to unstable, non‑inclusive governments

Sally Sharif, University of British Columbia

Ahmed al-Sharaa’s plans for Syria risk repeating past rebel mistakes. Negotiated, inclusive constitutional reform is key to Syrian stability and avoiding renewed conflict.

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