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.

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The latest on Syria


MENASource

Apr 29, 2025

Why the US must not let Syria slip away

By
Luke Wagner

Reconsidering the uneasy US-Syria relationship amid reports that Trump and al-Sharaa will meet during the US president’s Saudi Arabia visit.

Economic Sanctions
Middle East


MENASource

Apr 1, 2025

Israel is making a miscalculation in southern Syria. Here is why.

By
Ömer Özkizilcik

Israel’s approach in southern Syria risks deepening sectarian divisions, eroding the Druze community’s standin, and fueling broader instability.

Conflict
Defense Policy


MENASource

Mar 31, 2025

Western sanctions against Damascus must evolve—Just as Syria has

By
Sinan Hatahet

The US can play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of Syria’s recovery by shifting its approach from maximum pressure to calibrated influence.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy


MENASource

Mar 25, 2025

Dispatch from Bekaa: Inside the sectarian skirmishes on the Syria-Lebanon border

By
Nicholas Blanford

Local Shia tribesmen have battled an assortment of Sunni jihadist militias and the new Syrian security forces dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

English
Lebanon


MENASource

Mar 19, 2025

Inside Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s diplomatic offensive with Syria’s Christians and Ismailis

By
Gregory Waters

HTS’s diplomatic offensive demonstrates the leadership’s political approach, which evolved over years of engaging with the Christian and Druze communities in Idlib.

Democratic Transitions
Freedom and Prosperity


MENASource

Mar 19, 2025

Why the United States must bridge the Iraq-Syria divide

By
Sarkawt Shamsulddin

With leverage over both capitals, the United States emerges as the linchpin in delicate diplomatic moment between Baghdad and Damascus.

English
Iraq


MENASource

Mar 18, 2025

Landmark SDF-Damascus deal presents opportunity, and uncertainty, for Turkey

By
Ömer Özkizilcik

Despite positive signals, critical ambiguities remain in agreement between Syrian President Ahmed Shara and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

English
Middle East


MENASource

Mar 10, 2025

Syria’s women face a new chapter. Here’s how to amplify their voices.

By
Diana Rayes , Hind Kabawat

It is critical for women to be involved in transitional justice and constitutional reform processes in Syria.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Syria


MENASource

Feb 26, 2025

Why post-Assad Syria complicates the Iran-Turkey rivalry

By
Giorgio Cafiero

Depending on what unfolds after Assad’s fall, there could be reason to expect a degree of Iran-Turkey alignment in Syria.

Crisis Management
Democratic Transitions


MENASource

Feb 13, 2025

Dispatch from Syria: ‘Syrians cannot focus on their future if they are still drowning in their past’

By
Arwa Damon

The pain felt by those searching for clues in the dark void of the former regime’s detention system is palpable, Arwa Damon reports from Syria.

Conflict
Crisis Management

Content

SyriaSource

Mar 29, 2016

#5YearsWeFled: Refusing to Fight Bashar’s War

By Ayman Jalwan

This is the third part of a series of interviews with the lawyer Ayman Jalwan. It highlights the difficult choice that Syrians face—dying in the war zone that Syria had become, or fleeing the land they love. Last year, Ayman Jalwan and his wife said goodbye to their families and joined the wave of citizens […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 28, 2016

Top News: March 28, 2016

By SyriaSource

– ISIS driven out of Syria’s ancient Palmyra city– Russian air force to continue supporting Syrian army offensive– UN specialist could oversee release of Syrian detainees– Dozens killed in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 28, 2016

On the Capture of Palmyra

By Frederic C. Hof

News that Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) armed elements have been driven from Palmyra is welcome, irrespective of the circumstances. No doubt Russian air assaults in support of foreign fighter and Assad regime ground forces produced unnecessary civilian casualties. But driving barbarians from this UNESCO World Heritage site is welcome news.

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 28, 2016

Altering the Past to Shape the Prologue

By Frederic C. Hof

Misleading commentary by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov aimed at rewriting history and the failure of his American counterpart to correct the record may indicate an evolving Russian-American understanding that the stated purpose of Geneva peace negotiations—political transition in Syria—has been overtaken by events. If transition is not the aim of the negotiations, one may […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 25, 2016

Top News: March 25, 2016

By SyriaSource

– North Korea troops in Syria to help Assad– Fighting against ISIS rages in central Syrian town of Palmyra– ‘No Drama, No Walkouts’ and no progress in Syria peace talks– PKK attack on military station kills three soldiers– Russia to “unfreeze” relations with Turkey if takes responsibility

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 24, 2016

Locals in Idlib Take on the Nusra Front

By Ali Melhem

There’s growing hostility between al-Qaida’s branch in Syria and the locals of Idlib. After attempting to disrupt popular protests in the streets of Maarat al-Numan last week, the insurgent group then pushed a popular branch of the Free Syrian Army out of town

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 24, 2016

Top News: March 24, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syria army fights ISIS at gates of Palmyra – Syria war parties to agree on UN basic principles paper – Kerry tells Russia he wants further reduction in Syria violence – Turkey informed Belgium over attacker’s terrorist links

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 23, 2016

The Siege Economy of Eastern Ghouta

By Youssef Sadaki

Two and a half years of blockades and at times complete siege on areas Eastern Ghouta have left the local population without essential food, water, electricity, and fuel. As prices rise, merchants and military opposition factions have exploited the situation to profit from the siege, seizing the best and most crucial supplies for battalion members […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 23, 2016

Top News: March, 23 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syrian army seizes hills overlooking ISIS-held Palmyra– Kerry off to Russia for Syria talks after Brussels attacks– Syrian refugees denied critical health care in Jordan– Syria greenlights aid for most besieged towns, UN says – Turkey launches air strikes against PKK in Iraq, Turkey

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 22, 2016

Isolation of the Kurds in Syria

By Jiwan Soz

As a result of the political and military changes in Syria after March 2011, Kurds now control three major territories in Syria: Kobani, Afrin, and Hasaka. However, they face political difficulties due to the many schisms among the Kurdish parties, Turkey’s fear that Syrian Kurds will unite their cantons in northern Syria, and deteriorating relations […]

Syria
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