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

Feb 23, 2016

Top News: February 23, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Experts identify new cases of Syria chemical attacks– UN says major powers feeding ‘military escalation’ in Syria– UK, Turkey, Assad, and opposition skeptical over ceasefire – Assad sets April 13 for parliamentary elections – Russia, with Turkey in mind, announces big weapons deal with Armenia

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 22, 2016

Cynicism and Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

As noted repeatedly in these pages, Secretary of State John Kerry has spared no effort to reduce violence, increase humanitarian aid, and promote negotiations for political transition in Syria. That he does so with leverage amounting to a smile and a shoeshine is not his fault. That he relies totally on the goodwill, decency, and […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 22, 2016

Top News: February 22, 2016

By SyriaSource

– ISIS bombings kill nearly 130 people in Syria– Kerry and Lavrov reach provisional deal on ceasefire– Extremists cut government supply route to Syria’s Aleppo– Kurdish militant group TAK claims responsibility for Ankara car bomb

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2016

From Analysis to Action

By Frederic C. Hof

Those who think that President Barack Obama does not understand the crisis in Syria ought to read his remarks to the press at the US-ASEAN press conference in Rancho Mirage, California on February 16. Apologists for Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian and Russian enablers will not like the way the president parses the problem. The […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2016

Top News: February 19, 2016

By SyriaSource

US and Russia hold talks on Syria ceasefire ahead of UN meetingUN Syria envoy says February 25 resumption of talks not realisticPentagon asked Russia to avoid Syrian areas with US commandosMedia rights group calls on Turkey to release Syrian journalistRussia warns Assad on vow to retake all of SyriaEU to hold migration summit with Turkey […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2016

Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s Options in Syria are Narrowing

By Faysal Itani

Lately, the high geopolitics of events in Aleppo have rightly received a great deal of attention. Yet, while observers try to divine the great power intentions of the United States and Russia from diplomatic maneuvers and statements, local developments can be a better gauge of international intentions. This week, a new rebel coalition formed in […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 18, 2016

The Humanitarian Crisis in Northern Aleppo

By S. Keleşoğlu

The recent regime advances in northern Syria have caused a new wave of people to head for Turkey seeking refuge from the fighting. However, the political maneuvering is worsening the humanitarian situation for Syrians in northern Aleppo. Turkey has begun building camps inside of Syria for those fleeing the violence in northern Aleppo, but this […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 18, 2016

Top News: February 18, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria rebels cross from Turkey to join Aleppo battlesAid deliveries begin to five besieged Syrian townsMSF seeks independent probe into bombing of Syria hospitalCar bomb strikes military convoy in Ankara; Turkey blames Syrian Kurdish militants

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 17, 2016

Top News: February 17, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria allows humanitarian aid into seven besieged areasUNSC criticizes Turkey’s strikes in northern SyriaRussia and United States to meet on Syria ceasefire this weekAt least 15 civilians dead in Syria coalition air raidsDeputy PM says Turkey wants secure zone 10 km within Syria

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 17, 2016

What would Capturing al-Shaddadi from ISIS require?

By Mecid Mohamed

The Islamic State (ISIS) controls a city, al-Shaddadi, in the Hasaka province along the Syrian-Iraqi border which links to its territories in Deir Ezzor. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of the town of al-Hawl, in eastern Hasaka near the Syrian-Iraqi border, on November 13, 2015. This opens the way for the SDF to […]

Syria
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