Bassam Barabandi is a former Syrian diplomat who has defected to the opposition and now serves as a political adviser to the High Negotiations Committee, an umbrella group for Syrian rebels engaging in political talks with the regime. A former First Secretary of the Syrian Embassy in Washington, DC, Mr. Barabandi also served in Damascus, Beijing, and New York. Since leaving the Syrian government, he has provided expertise and consultation on all Syria-related matters to administration officials and members of Congress. Mr. Barabandi is a co-founder of People Demand Change, a U.S.-based organization dedicated to improving conflict mediation and resolution, civil society structures, and humanitarian relief within Syria, and has engaged with a number of pro-democracy organizations seeking a political transition in Syria.