Syria

Syria

Introduction

Background

Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability, however, and experienced a series of military coups during its first decades. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the Socialist Ba’th Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional peace talks over its return. Following the death of President al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops – stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role – were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007 Bashar al-ASAD was elected to his second term as president. Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, antigovernment protests broke out in the southern province of Da’ra in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Since then demonstrations and unrest have spread to nearly every city in Syria, but the size and intensity of protests have fluctuated over time, and Aleppo and Damascus have remained relatively calm. The government has responded to unrest with a mix of concessions – including the repeal of the Emergency Law and approving new laws permitting new political parties and liberalizing local and national elections – and force. However, the government’s response has failed to meet opposition demands for ASAD to step down, and the government’s ongoing security operations to quell unrest and a rise in armed opposition activity had led to violent clashes between government forces and oppositionists. The UN Human Rights Council in November 2011 reported that at least 3,500 people had been killed since the onset of protests.

Geography

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey

Geographic coordinates

35 00 N, 38 00 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 185,180 sq km
country comparison to the world: 89 land:183,630 sq km
water:1,550 sq km
note:includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory

Area – comparative

slightly larger than North Dakota

Land boundaries

total: 2,253 km
border countries:Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon 375 km, Turkey 822 km

Coastline

193 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm

Climate

mostly desert

hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast

cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus

Terrain

primarily semiarid and desert plateau

narrow coastal plain

mountains in west

Elevation extremes

lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m
highest point:Mount Hermon 2,814 m

Natural resources

petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 24.8%
permanent crops:4.47%
other:70.73% (2005)

Irrigated land

13,560 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

46.1 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 19.95cu km/yr (3%/2%/95%)
per capita:1,048cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

dust storms, sandstorms
volcanism:Syria’s two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries

Environment – current issues

deforestation

overgrazing

soil erosion

desertification

water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes

inadequate potable water

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification

Geography – note

there are 41 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (2010 est.)

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Syrian(s)
adjective:Syrian

Ethnic groups

Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%

Languages

Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood)

French, English (somewhat understood)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Population

22,517,750 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 note:approximately 19,100 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2008 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.2% (male 4,066,109/female 3,865,817)
15-64 years:61% (male 6,985,067/female 6,753,619)
65 years and over:3.8% (male 390,802/female 456,336) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 21.9 years
male:21.7 years
female:22.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.913% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Birth rate

23.99 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Death rate

3.68 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Net migration rate

-11.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212

Urbanization

urban population: 56% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Aleppo 2.985 million

DAMASCUS (capital) 2.527 million

Hims 1.276 million

Hamah 854,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.86 male(s)/female
total population:1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

46 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 100

Infant mortality rate

total: 15.62 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 115 male:17.96 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.69 years
country comparison to the world: 94 male:72.31 years
female:77.21 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.94 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68

Health expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 180

Physicians density

1.5 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 80

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 121

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 94% of population
rural: 84% of population
total: 89% of population
unimproved:
urban: 6% of population
rural: 16% of population
total: 11% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 95% of population
total: 96% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 5% of population
total: 4% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

10% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 66

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 66

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:79.6%
male:86%
female:73.6% (2004 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years
male:12 years
female:11 years (2007)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 19.1%
country comparison to the world: 61 male:13.1%
female:49.1% (2007)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic
conventional short form:Syria
local long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah
local short form:Suriyah
former:United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

Government type

republic under an authoritarian regime

Capital

name: Damascus
geographic coordinates:33 30 N, 36 18 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins first Friday in April

ends last Friday in October

Administrative divisions

14 provinces (muhafazat, singular – muhafazah)

Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda’, Dar’a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq (Damascus), Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus Countryside), Tartus

Independence

17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)

National holiday

Independence Day, 17 April (1946)

Constitution

13 March 1973

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000)

Vice President Farouk al-SHARA (since 11 February 2006) oversees foreign policy

Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) oversees cultural policy
head of government:Prime Minister Adil SAFR (since 14 April 2011)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president

note – new Council appointed on 14 April 2011
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president approved by popular referendum for a second seven-year term (no term limits)

referendum last held on 27 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2014)

the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers
election results:Bashar al-ASAD approved as president

percent of vote – Bashar al-ASAD 97.6%, other 2.4%

Legislative branch

unicameral People’s Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 22-23 April 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results:percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – NPF 172, independents 78

Judicial branch

Supreme Judicial Council (appoints and dismisses judges

headed by the president)

national level – Supreme Constitutional Court (adjudicates electoral disputes and rules on constitutionality of laws and decrees

justices appointed for four-year terms by the president)

Court of Cassation

Appeals Courts (Appeals Courts represent an intermediate level between the Court of Cassation and local level courts)

local level – Magistrate Courts

Courts of First Instance

Juvenile Courts

Customs Courts

specialized courts – Economic Security Courts (hear cases related to economic crimes)

Supreme State Security Court (hear cases related to national security)

Personal Status Courts (religious

hear cases related to marriage and divorce)

Political parties and leaders

legal parties: National Progressive Front or NPF [President Bashar al-ASAD, Dr. Suleiman QADDAH] (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba’th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD]

Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr Al-DIN]

Syrian Arab Socialist Union or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI]

Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL]

Syrian Social Nationalist Party [As'ad HARDAN]

Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL])
opposition parties not legally recognized:Communist Action Party [Fateh al-JAMOUS]

National Democratic Rally [Hasan ABDUL-AZIM, spokesman] (includes five parties – Arab Democratic Socialist Union Party [Hasan ABDUL-AZIM], Arab Socialist Movement, Democratic Ba’th Party [Ibrahim MAKHOS], Democratic People’s Party [Riad al TURK], Revolutionary Workers’ Party [Abdul Hafez al HAFEZ])
Kurdish parties (considered illegal):Azadi Party [Kheirudin MURAD]

Future Party [Masha'l TAMMO]

Kurdish Democratic Alliance (includes four parties)

Kurdish Democratic Front (includes three parties)

Yekiti Party [Fu'ad ALEYKO]
other parties:Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Arab Human Rights Organization in Syria or AHRO

Damascus Declaration Group (a broad alliance of secular, religious, and Kurdish opposition groups)

National Salvation Front (alliance between former Vice President Abd al-Halim KHADDAM and other small opposition groups in exile

formerly included the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood)

Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression [Mazin DARWISH]

Syrian Human Rights Organization [Muhanad al-HASANI]

Syrian Human Rights Society or HRAS [Fayez FAWAZ]

Syrian Muslim Brotherhood or SMB [Muhammad Riyad al-SHAQFAH] (operates in exile in London)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MOUSTAPHA
chancery:2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 232-6313
FAX:[1] (202) 265-4585

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. FORD
embassy:Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansour Street, No. 2, Damascus
mailing address:P. O. Box 29, Damascus
telephone:[963] (11) 3391-4444
FAX:[963] (11) 3391-3999

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black

two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band

the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)

identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt

the current design dates to 1980
note:similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band

National symbol(s)

hawk

National anthem

name: “Humat ad-Diyar” (Guardians of the Homeland)
lyrics/music:Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL
note:adopted 1936, restored 1961

between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem

Economy

Economy – overview

Syrian economic growth remained in the 4-5% range in 2008-10 even though the global economic crisis affected oil prices and the economies of Syria’s key export partners and sources of investment. Damascus has implemented modest economic reforms in the past few years, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating all of the multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, most notably gasoline and cement, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange – which began operations in 2009. In addition, President ASAD signed legislative decrees to encourage corporate ownership reform, and to allow the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt. Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Long-run economic constraints include declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, and increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and water pollution.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$107.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67 $104 billion (2009 est.)
$98.13 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$59.33 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117 6% (2009 est.)
4.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$4,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151 $4,800 (2009 est.)
$4,600 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 17.1%
industry:27.3%
services:55.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

5.529 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 17%
industry:16%
services:67% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95 8.5% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

11.9% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

18.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Budget

revenues: $12.48 billion
expenditures:$14.97 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128

Public debt

27.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95 25.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139 2.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73 5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$24.28 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 $19.96 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$161 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 44 $147.5 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit

$27.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70 $24.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets

beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk

Industries

petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, car assembly

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Electricity – production

38.71 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity – consumption

28.99 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

401,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Oil – consumption

292,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Oil – exports

263,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Oil – imports

55,280 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Oil – proved reserves

2.5 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33

Natural gas – production

6.19 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Natural gas – consumption

7.1 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Natural gas – imports

910 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas – proved reserves

240.7 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Current account balance

-$1.379 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149 -$1.162 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$14.03 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76 $10.88 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat

Exports – partners

Iraq 30%, Lebanon 11.7%, Germany 8.8%, Italy 8.8%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2010)

Imports

$16.98 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 $13.93 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper

Imports – partners

Saudi Arabia 11.2%, China 10.1%, Turkey 7.6%, UAE 5.5%, Italy 5.5%, Russia 4.6%, Lebanon 4.4%, Egypt 4.3%, Iran 4%, South Korea 4% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$20.57 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 $17.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$7.636 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100 $7.246 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar -
46.456 (2010)
46.708 (2009)
46.5281 (2008)
50.0085 (2007)
51.689 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

104 (2010)
country comparison to the world:58

Airports – with paved runways

total: 29
over 3,047 m:5
2,438 to 3,047 m:15
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:5 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 75
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:15
under 914 m:59 (2010)

Heliports

7 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 3,161 km

oil 1,997 km (2010)

Railways

total: 2,052 km
country comparison to the world: 72 standard gauge:1,801 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:251 km 1.050-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 68,157 km
country comparison to the world: 68 paved:61,514 km (includes 1,103 km of expressways)
unpaved:6,643 km (2009)

Waterways

900 km (navigable but not economically significant) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 69

Merchant marine

total: 41
country comparison to the world: 77 by type:bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, carrier 3, container 1
foreign-owned:5 (Jordan 2, Lebanon 2, Romania 1)
registered in other countries:199 (Barbados 1, Belize 2, Bolivia 4, Cambodia 22, Comoros 6, Cyprus 1, Dominica 2, Georgia 35, Lebanon 3, Liberia 1, Libya 2, Malta 5, Moldova 3, North Korea 6, Panama 42, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 20, Togo 5, unknown (2010)

Ports and terminals

Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus

Military

Military branches

Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air and Air Defense Forces (includes Air Defense Command) (2008)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service

conscript service obligation – 21 months (18 months in the Syrian Arab Navy)

women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 5,889,837
females age 16-49:5,660,751 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 5,055,510
females age 16-49:4,884,151 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 256,698
female:244,712 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1964

lacking a treaty or other documentation describing the boundary, portions of the Lebanon-Syria boundary are unclear with several sections in dispute

since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab’a Farms in the Golan Heights

2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with Jordan

approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 1-1.4 million (Iraq)

522,100 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))
IDPs:305,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Syria is principally a destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor or sex trafficking

women from Indonesia, the Philippines, Somalia, and Ethiopia are recruited by employment agencies to work in Syria as domestic servants, but are subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labor

some economically desperate Syrian children are subjected to conditions of forced labor within the country, particularly by organized street begging rings

some Syrian women in Lebanon may be forced to engage in street prostitution and small numbers of Syrian girls are reportedly brought to Lebanon for the purpose of prostitution
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the government made modest anti-trafficking efforts, however, it did not demonstrate evidence of increasing efforts to investigate and punish trafficking offenses, inform the public about the practice of human trafficking, or provide much-needed anti-trafficking training to law enforcement and social welfare officials (2011)

Illicit drugs

a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine bound for regional and Western markets

weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank privatization may leave it vulnerable to money laundering