The “Dubai Unlocked” investigative reports reveal that US sanctions have not prevented prominent figures connected to the Syrian regime from acquiring and investing in the small emirate, raising questions about the perks enjoyed by regime insiders there. The project’s documents contain details of properties owned by Syrians from the financial and familial circle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including: his cousins Rami and Ihab Makhlouf, businessman brothers Samer and Amer Foz, Rania al-Dabas, the wife of Syrian businessman Mohammed Hamcho, and others.