A new web-based polling portal for Syrians, named Syriapol, has been launched. The aim is two-fold:

1) To offer Syrians of all viewpoints a place to express, in quantitative terms, their attitudes toward the status quo, or changes to it.

2) To provide that information, gathered through an unbiased mechanism, to anyone who will make decisions, set policy, or advocate a course of action, whether inside or outside the Syrian Arab Republic, and from any political viewpoint, whether pro-regime or anti-regime.

Syriapol’s goal is merely to collect valuable information, and encourage its exchange. The project is actively neutral – it does not seek to advocate any particular point of view, only to collect information from Syrians regarding their views, whether they are pro-regime, pro-opposition, or anywhere in between.

Syria cannot move forward without the engagement of Syrian citizens. Accordingly, this poll seeks to offer Syrians a space in which to apply complex and multi-faceted thought to their country's future. And it will provide those who make decisions, set policies, or promote courses of action with quality public opinion data from the Syrian people themselves.

The Syrian people will continue to feel the effects of positions advocated by various parties on the political, democratic, economic, and diplomatic fronts. A better an understanding of what the Syrian people desire in any of these areas, what they prefer to see change or remain the same, and strongly they feel about it – will play a crucial role in determining the success of any group, party, or regime seeking to move Syria forward.

The poll itself does not pose direct questions. Instead, it asks participants to evaluate a series of hypothetical scenarios concerning government, politics, economy, democracy, and the peace process. It then uses complex regression analysis techniques to quantitatively determine preferences of the respondents. Finally, by correlating the results to a series of demographic questions that accompany the poll, we can analyze Syrian society segmented by geography, sect, age, education level, etc.

Individual replies will remain confidential. If the respondent so chooses, syriapol will share by email an analysis of that individual’s replies to the poll. Additionally, a summary of composite results and abstract findings will be published publicly and widely distributed.

Syriapol is absolutely independent. It is not funded by, affiliated with, or otherwise connected in any way whatsoever to any government, political party, movement, or organization, in any country.

All Syrians, and indeed anyone interested in Syrian attitudes toward government, politics, economy, democracy, and the peace process, are invited to visit Syriapol.

Feedback can be sent directly to the author, George Ajjan, at george@ajjan.com or through his personal website.