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 9, 2016

Top News: February 9, 2016

By SyriaSource

Car bomb in Syrian capital kills severalRussia says no evidence of civilian deaths in its Syria bombingsUnited States, Saudi push ceasefire ahead of Syria talksMore than 1 million are besieged in SyriaUN urges Turkey to open borders to Syrians

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 9, 2016

Iran and Russia: Why We Fight in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic has just submitted to the Human Rights Council yet another devastating report on mass homicide in Syria. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Deaths in Detention in the Syrian Arab Republic spares no one: it cites deadly, illegal abuses by the Islamic State (ISIL, […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 8, 2016

Top News: February 8, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syrian rebels lose ground as Kurds begin talks with RussiaAs Syria rebels face rout, allies, Saudi, Turkey may send troopsUN probe accuses Damascus of ‘extermination’ of detainees De Mistura wants to see willingness to reach Syria peace dealTurkey, Germany to carry joint diplomatic efforts for AleppoErdogan to US: Choose either Turkey or PYD as your […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 5, 2016

Syria: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

By Frederic C. Hof

Word out of Saudi Arabia that the Kingdom is willing to contribute ground forces to the anti-Islamic State (ISIL, ISIS, Daesh) fight in Syria and the positive reaction of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter combine to form one of earth’s rarest elements: good news on Syria. The ongoing display of official American disbelief about the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 5, 2016

Top News: February 5, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syrian troops make gains in southern offensive– Senior Iranian commander killed in Syria– Turkey accuses Russia of spreading propaganda – Over 10,000 Syrians mass on Turkish border as regime advances

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 5, 2016

Moadamiya: Two Years of Siege and Starvation

By Youssef Sadaki

Over the past two years, the Syrian regime and its allied militias have persisted in using starvation as a weapon against opposition areas. Madaya, which only recently became the focus of media attention, is only one of over 40 other areas that has reached a state of crisis due to regime siege tactics, according to Siege […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 4, 2016

Syria: What Next?

By Frederic C. Hof

For over four years an article of faith for senior Western politicians has been that there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria. Properly translated this mantric assertion, still being chanted in 2016, would read as follows: We in the West will not lift a finger militarily to stop, complicate, or mitigate mass […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 4, 2016

Top News: February 4, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Nearly 40,000 Syrians flee regime’s advance on Aleppo– Kerry demands Russia halt Syria bombing after talks suspended– Russian says strikes hit 875 ‘terrorist’ targets in Syria this month– Russia suspects Turkey prepares to enter Syria– YPG says it has crossed Turkey’s “red-line” in Syria – Turkey bans Russian observation flight near Syria border

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 3, 2016

The Military and Political Significance of Aleppo

By Faysal Itani and Hossam Abouzahr

In a serious blow to the rebellion, the Syrian regime has severed the main insurgent supply line from Turkey to long-contested Aleppo, Syria’s second city. This is the culmination of several tactical regime victories against the opposition in recent weeks, largely due to Russian air support. Although some Western policy-makers (and many opposition supporters) continue […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 3, 2016

Top News: February 3, 2016

By SyriaSource

– New offensive by Assad’s forces overshadows Syria peace talks– Jordanians ‘at boiling point’ over Syria refugees– Donors face record request of $9 billion to aid Syrians– Turkey-Syria border nearly ISIS-free, says Kerry

Syria
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