SyriaSource
SyriaSource followed the dynamics in Syria through in-depth analysis of the impact of the conflict on Syria, its neighbors and the international community. Amplifying a diverse range of Syrian and regional voices—to reach both English—and Arabic-speaking audiences, SyriaSource transforms their words from strong but distant ideas to resounding perspectives not often heard among Washington and international policymakers. For the latest work on Syria, please visit MENASource.
The Latest on Syria
Wed, Jan 20, 2021
Fragmentation and perceived bias: The shortcomings of US policy towards tribes in Syria
The fragmentation and divisions that plague the Arab tribal population in northeastern Syria played a major role in the US’s decision not to rely primarily on tribal auxiliaries in its fight against ISIS.
MENASource by Haian Dukhan and Ammar Alhamad
Mon, Jan 11, 2021
The Assad regime faces a Rubik’s Cube of challenges in 2021
The coming year will likely present the Bashar al-Assad regime with a perplexing stalemate as it attempts to navigate a political, economic, and security landscape beset with a Rubik’s Cube of challenges.
MENASource by Nizar Mohamad and Abdulrahman al-Masri
Wed, Dec 23, 2020
Five decades of Baathism survived because of nationalism
Implicit in understanding the role of nationalism in maintaining the Assad regime’s survival is exploring the extent to which this ideology has given support to it.
MENASource by Rahaf Aldoughli
Mon, Dec 14, 2020
Russian aid in Syria: An underestimated instrument of soft power
Free from needing outside help by the international community, Russia’s self-sufficient aid ecosystem undermines, devalues, and rivals UN-led efforts in Syria, threatens to erode trust in the wider aid system, and provides a dangerous alternative narrative about the humanitarian environment in Syria for the Bashar al-Assad regime.
MENASource by Jonathan Robinson
Thu, Dec 10, 2020
Pity the nation: Assessing a half century of Assadist rule
The Syrian uprising is a more damning referendum on the Assad family legacy than any judgement that might be rendered by outsiders.
MENASource by Steven Heydemann
Thu, Dec 3, 2020
Limited and constrained: The Biden administration and the prospects of a Syria policy
While any departure from the Trump administration’s transactional and inconsistent leadership is welcomed, the hopes surrounding the incoming Biden administration’s return to engagement in Syria requires more in-depth scrutiny.
MENASource by Abdulrahman al-Masri
Tue, Dec 1, 2020
2021 budget reveals the depth of Syria’s economic woes
Unless a political settlement is reached and the sanctions are lifted to enable reconstruction, the economy of regime-held Syria will continue to struggle.
MENASource by William Christou and Karam Shaar
Mon, Nov 16, 2020
ICMP report highlights need to launch missing persons process for Syria
While the present Syrian government is unlikely to cooperate, much can be done in the short and medium term to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and credible process. Finding more than 130,000 missing persons will require investigations across Syria and beyond.
MENASource by Kathryne Bomberger
Thu, Nov 5, 2020
Factbox: Iranian influence and presence in Syria
This factbox presents a limited summary of Iran’s military and security power in Syria, revealing the extent of its sway over Syrian society and its economy.
MENASource by Navvar Saban
Mon, Oct 26, 2020
Will US troops actually leave Syria in exchange for hostages?
While the talks between Washington and the Bashar al-Assad regime may be in its early stages, Donald Trump may want to secure some pre-election victories by securing the release of hostages and the return of soldiers.
MENASource by Abdulrahman al-Masri
Content
Fri, Oct 18, 2019
Turkey’s “pause” in Syria: Will the US tourniquet stop the bleeding?
Time will tell whether the United States can take advantage of a pause in Turkish military operations to broker a diplomatic solution to the Northeast Syria crisis.
SyriaSource by Frederic C. Hof
Tue, Oct 15, 2019
Syria: Is anything salvageable?
The importance of Syria to the West generally and to the United States specifically dictates that something of value be salvaged from the wreckage. Facilitating the resurrection of ISIS and the restoration of a terrorism-abetting Assad regime to all of Syria should be unthinkable.
SyriaSource by Frederic C. Hof
Thu, Oct 3, 2019
In solidarity with Sudan: Syria’s graffiti movement
Within this project, local volunteers planned and organized graffiti murals, based off of London artist and social commentator Banksy, reflecting on current events while tying in the Syrian conflict.
SyriaSource by Rana Riziq
Fri, Sep 20, 2019
Samantha Power’s uneasy legacy on Syria
It is the memoir of someone who is anything but a time server; someone who truly cares about things and who has tried—often successfully—to make a difference for the better.
SyriaSource by Frederic C. Hof
Thu, Sep 12, 2019
War and art: The graffiti movement in Syria
A local Syrian civil society organization, Kesh Malek, is focused on supplying humanitarian aid and services to Syrians throughout Syria. One of its successful media campaigns this year is the Syria Banksy project.
SyriaSource by Rana Riziq
Mon, Aug 5, 2019
The evolution of Syrian revolutionary art
Perhaps, it is unsurprising then, that political posters and street art became so ubiquitous in the Syrian Revolution. The regimes of the Middle East knew the political potential for art. For this reason, it has always been closely monitored.
SyriaSource by Natasha Hall
Thu, Aug 1, 2019
Why is the US clashing with the Dutch over Syria?
As the women’s national soccer teams battled it out for the World Cup title in early July, another clash was taking place in the political realm between the Americans and the Dutch over the latter’s military contribution in Syria.
SyriaSource by Grace Wermenbol
Thu, Aug 1, 2019
Syrians at the Turkish border: humiliation, torture, and death
Yet the journey is fraught with danger that doesn’t end at the border. If anything, the border itself is the most dangerous part of the journey with Turkish border guards known as “Jandarma,” who frequently capture, beat, and steal from Syrian refugees only to send them back into Syria.
SyriaSource by Tesbih Habbal
Wed, Jul 17, 2019
Getting out – again?
Will allies and partners be certain of American steadfastness? Can American officials genuinely claim to know the commander-in-chief’s intent? President Trump may not wish to make Iran’s day by gifting northeastern Syria to it, Russia, and the Assad regime.
SyriaSource by Frederic C. Hof
Thu, Jul 11, 2019
The conflict has torn apart Syrian tribes, but they remain an important player
Despite the lack of focus on the Syrian Arab tribes’ social and political roles, they continue to be an important player between the conflicting parties in Syria, especially the Euphrates region and in northern Syria.
SyriaSource by Khalifa al-Khuder