On 2 February 2012, the Director of Orient Research Centre in Dubai, Dr. Samir al-Taqi, discussed the current political arena in Syria with researchers at the centre.
![201238141528205734_20.jpg](/sites/default/files/articles/news/201238141528205734_20.jpg)
On 2 February 2012, the Director of Orient Research Centre in Dubai, Dr. Samir al-Taqi, discussed the current political arena in Syria with researchers at the centre. He addressed the growing gap between social classes as a result of money smuggling and foreign investment, the decline of trade and the job market, and the suspension of communication and transportation services. Furthermore, he indicated that al-Assad's attempts at reform and elections would do nothing to cure the situation.