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

Sep 24, 2025

Is a new era of Turkey-Syria economic engagement on the horizon?

By
Ömer Özkizilcik and Levent Kemal

The convergence of Turkey’s and the Gulf’s economic strategies in Syria presents an opportunity for Washington.

Democratic Transitions
Middle East


MENASource

Sep 17, 2025

In landmark Syria elections, women still face electoral hurdles

By
Marie Forestier 

As the indirect electoral process begins, Syrian officials could take several steps to increase women’s chances in this process.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions


MENASource

Sep 10, 2025

Ten questions (and expert answers) on Operation Inherent Resolve’s end in Iraq

By
Atlantic Council experts

This new frontier in the US-Iraq relationship leaves many opportunities, challenges and unknowns. Our experts unpack it all.

Defense Policy
Democratic Transitions


MENASource

Aug 25, 2025

Dispatch from Syria’s Christian strongholds: A new government, a full political spectrum

By
Gregory Waters

The conditions of Christian communities across the country remain varied, with the opinions of religious and community leaders deeply mixed.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions


MENASource

Aug 8, 2025

Sweida’s humanitarian crisis presents a test for Syria’s transitional government and its global partners

By
Diana Rayes 

Sweida is not an isolated tragedy—it is a litmus test for Syria’s fragile political transition and for the international community’s resolve to respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Conflict
Economy & Business


MENASource

Jul 30, 2025

After Swaida: How Syria’s periphery is shaping its future

By
Ibrahim Al-Assil

What comes next in Syria will not be determined by battlefield victories or summit declarations, but by the evolving realities on the ground.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions


MENASource

Jul 24, 2025

In a sectarian Syria, the winners should refrain from taking all

By
Marie Forestier 

To avoid the complete supremacy of HTS-supporting Sunnis, it is crucial to adopt power-sharing mechanisms ensuring inclusiveness

Democratic Transitions
International Norms


MENASource

Jul 22, 2025

Why the violence in my hometown, Swaida, goes beyond ‘rivalry.’

By
Majd AlGhatrif

US officials described the events as “a rivalry” between Syria’s Druze and Bedouins. But this framing strips the crisis of its historical and political context.

Civil Society
Conflict


MENASource

Jul 2, 2025

Why al-Sharaa’s success in Syria is good for Israel and the US

By
Itai Melchior and Nir Boms

Israel will be wise to align its policy with those who seek to integrate Syria rather than with those who seek to fragment it.

Democratic Transitions
Israel


MENASource

Jun 26, 2025

Dispatch from Damascus: Church attack shows transition’s fragility

By
Ibrahim Al-Assil

The bombing at Mar Elias Church is more than an isolated tragedy. It is a signal that Syria’s transition remains vulnerable to sabotage.

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

Content

SyriaSource

Feb 29, 2016

Top News: February 29, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syria truce brings sharp fall in death toll, but attacks continue in some areas – Syria ceasefire task force meets, France wants answers on violations– World powers trade accusations over ceasefire violations– Ban Ki-moon says ceasefire in Syria is holding– Russia says federalism is an option for Syria– Humanitarian aid begins to besieged towns

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 29, 2016

Cessation of Hostilities: So Far, So Good

By Frederic C. Hof

The opening hours of what would ideally be an open-ended cessation of hostilities in western Syria have reflected generally good results. Residential neighborhoods bombed mercilessly by Russian and Assad regime aircraft—attacks that often focused on medical facilities—are experiencing a modicum of calm for the first time in months and even years. A portion of the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 29, 2016

Russia and the Regime’s War on Civilians in Deir Ezzor

By Fikram

The Syrian regime and its Russian ally are waging war against civilians, not only with light, heavy, and indiscriminate munitions, but also with economic weapons, as they demonstrated in Deir Ezzor these past two months.

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 26, 2016

Top News: February 26, 2016

By SyriaSource

– UN Security Council aims to endorse halt in Syria fighting– Putin says groups in Syria ready to comply with ceasefire; Russian air strikes intensify– Bombs hit Syrian hospitals, medical workers fear they are target – Rights groups slam ‘shameful’ Russia deportation of Syrian refugees– United States sensitive to Turkey’s YPG concerns, but wants more information– […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 25, 2016

Top News: February 25, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria army excludes rebel town near Damascus from truceUN has high hopes for aid from Syria truce but airdrop flopsSyrian army recaptures town in Aleppo province from ISISUN to announce new round of Syria talksSaudi warplanes to arrive at Turkey’s Incirlik air baseTurkey says Syria ceasefire is not binding if it threatens security 

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 24, 2016

What Can Be Done for Syria’s Antiquities?

By Idir Ouahes

The hazy question of ownership lies at the core of the trade and destruction of Middle Eastern artifacts. As the Syrian civil war becomes increasingly complex, familiar questions call out for an answer: who owns a country’s antiquities and what can be done to protect them in times of unrest?

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 24, 2016

Top News: February 24, 2016

By SyriaSource

ISIS tightens grip on Syrian government road to AleppoUN aid convoys head to two Syrian besieged townsTurkey casts doubt on chances of ceasefire in SyriaDNA report suggests Ankara bomber was Turkish

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 23, 2016

Afrin and the Race for the Azaz Corridor

By Thomas Schmidinger

For the last five years Afrin (Kurdish: Efrîn) was the most tranquil of the three Kurdish enclaves in Syria. As in the other two Kurdish cantons, Kobane and Jazira (Kurdish: Kobanê, Cizîrê), the Syrian regime army pulled back from the region in spring 2012 and left it to the control of Democratic Union Party (PYD) […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 23, 2016

Cessation of Hostilities: Urgent, But Not Likely

By Frederic C. Hof

The cessation of hostilities in Syria originally scheduled to take effect on or about February 19 is now slated—per a Russia-United States joint statement—to take effect on February 27. Although Syrian rebel groups are being invited (along with the Assad regime and its external supporters) to signal acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 23, 2016

Aleppo, Azaz, and Failed US Syria Policy

By Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff

Aleppo and Azaz are two cities in northern Syria that represent the result of US Syria policy. After five years of half measures, false starts, broken red lines, and bouts of funding for Syrian aid and development projects, we have now entered a new phase: uncoordinated pieces of the US intelligence and defense community supporting […]

Syria
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