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 2, 2016

Top News: February 2, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Islamist groups to participate in Syria talks on individual basis– Syria regime forces advance in north Aleppo– US envoy meets PYD in Syria– Syria condemns Turkey cross-border shelling– Syria approves aid deliveries to 3 besieged villages– Italy drops objections to EU migration fund to Turkey

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 1, 2016

Going Slow on ISIL in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The horrific Islamic State (ISIL, ISIS, Daesh) suicide bombing near the Sayyida Zaynab mosque outside of Damascus is “caliph” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s calling card—his way of reminding people that the peace talks being organized in Geneva represent only one facet of the struggle for Syria. As Washington tries, in the face of long odds, to […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 1, 2016

The Regime Advances with Russian Support

By Saleem al-Omar

With Russian air support, the Syrian regime retook Salma from the opposition. After blocking all exits from the city to trap opposition members within and heavily bombing them, regime and Russian forces took the city within several hours. The Assad fighters were not alone this time in the direct combat—Russian soldiers participated in the assault […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 1, 2016

Top News: February 1, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Syria peace talks hit trouble after Damascus blast kills 60– Syria’s indirect peace talks likely to be delayed– Russian air force continues bombing ‘terrorists’ in Syria– Jordan PM links Syrian refugee admissions to foreign aid– Turkey warns Russia after alleging new airspace breach

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 30, 2016

Geneva: Pulling in the Same Direction

By Frederic C. Hof

If talks in Geneva under UN auspices between Syrian opposition and regime delegations are to be productive, the United States and its partners simply cannot act as even-handed, disinterested mediators and purveyors of diplomatic good offices, urging—as Secretary of State John Kerry does repeatedly—both sides to negotiate in good faith. This is not the time […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 29, 2016

Top News: January 29, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syrian opposition not in Geneva on the day of peace talksStarvation spreads before Syria peace talksIran coerces Afghans to fight in Syria, according to HRWSyrian Kurds plan attack to seal Turkish border

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 28, 2016

Geneva: Is That All There Is?

By Frederic C. Hof

Without doubt the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian opposition will authorize and direct its delegation to go to Geneva to engage in indirect “proximity talks” under the supervision of UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. Whatever burdens have been borne by this opposition for the better part of five years, it simply cannot risk […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 28, 2016

Top News: January 28, 2016

By SyriaSource

Russia proposes international meeting on February 11Opposition says Syrian peace talks unlikely to begin FridayUN says number of Syria’s besieged communities rises to 18PYD-YPG has no future in Syria, says Turkey’s top national security body

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 27, 2016

Top News: January 27, 2016

By SyriaSource

–Syria peace talks hinge on envoy’s answers–Kurdish PYD not invited to peace talks in Geneva–Syrian government troops recapture key southern town–Turkey’s human rights environment deteriorated in 2015, says HRW

Syria

SyriaSource

Jan 26, 2016

Top News: January 26, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Deadly blasts kill 20 in Syrian city ahead of peace talks– Syria opposition meets in Riyadh, casts doubt on talks– Russian air strikes have transformed situation in Syria– Kurds accuse Syria pro-regime militia of bombings– Russia, Turkey dispute over PYD inclusion at peace talks– Search for US workers kidnapped in Baghdad focuses on Sadr […]

Syria
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