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

May 8, 2025

From rubble to rebirth: A model for Syria’s reconstruction

By
Mahmood Alhosain

Almost six months since Assad regime collapse, four key pillars will determine whether this new Damascus can seize the opportunity.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions


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

Content

SyriaSource

Dec 18, 2015

Unanswered Questions after the Riyadh Conference

By Daniel R. DePetris

The Riyadh conference last week hosted over one hundred political and armed opposition factions. The image of seeing a range of political activists and some of the most hardline Islamist rebel groups in the same room for the first time was an accomplishment in and of itself. Secretary of State John Kerry clearly realized how […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 18, 2015

Top News: December 18, 2015

By SyriaSource

– World powers meeting in New York to address Syrian war and ISIS– More firepower at Russian base as bombers pound Syria, warships bolster air campaigns– United States sends supplies to Syrian fighters– Syria to require Turks to obtain entry visas– Number of people forced to flee war, violence to hit record in 2015– German […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 17, 2015

Top News: December 17, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Putin says outside force should not decide who rules Syria– Kurdish rebels killed in clashes in Turkey– Iraqi Kurds say repelled ISIS offensive, four Turkish troops wounded – Qatari safari members, including royalty, are abducted in Iraq– US Defense Secretary arrives in Iraq’s Erbil

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 16, 2015

John Kerry on “Regime Change”

By Frederic C. Hof

Speaking in Moscow on December 15, 2015 after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Secretary of State John Kerry said—as part of his prepared statement—that, “the United States and our partners are not seeking so-called ‘regime change,’ as it is known in Syria. What we have said is that we […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 16, 2015

Syria: Stories Behind Photos of Killed Detainees

By Human Rights Watch

(Moscow, December 16, 2015) – Nine months of research reveals some of the human stories behind the more than 28,000 photos of deaths in government custody that were smuggled out of Syria and first came to public attention in January 2014, Human Rights said in a report and accompanying video released today.

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 16, 2015

Top News: December 16, 2015

By SyriaSource

– US Defense Secretary Carter in Iraq to seek new ways to battle ISIS– Syrian troops capture strategic mountain in coastal province; humanitarian aid reaches Homs– German air force runs first refueling mission over Syria– Over 30 civilians dead in suspected Russian raids on Syrian markets; Russia confirms talks on Friday– Amnesty reports mistreatment of […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 15, 2015

Top News: December 15, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Syria regime, allies recapture key air base near Damascus– Free Syrian Army rebels deny Russian support– Kerry calls for common ground with Russia on Syria– Obama vows to hit ISIS harder, says commandos now in Syria– US Defense Secretary seeks more Turkish help against ISIS– Turkey says to take fight to Kurdish militants as […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 14, 2015

Top News: December 14, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Air strikes hit Damascus day after 45 were killed– Russia says Riyadh talks do not speak for entire Syrian opposition; Kerry to Moscow on Tuesday – ISIS-claimed attack kills 16 in Syria’s Homs– Russian destroyer wards off Turkish fishing ship in Aegean– Turkish police, protesters clash in southeast as new curfews declared – Turkey withdraws some […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 14, 2015

Frederic C. Hof’s Remarks to the Syrian American Council, McLean, VA, December 11, 2015

By Frederic C. Hof

I am deeply honored to be with you this evening. Someday, when the New Syria comes about, there will be a roll of honor listing those who really made a difference in making it happen. The Syrian American Council will be high on that roll.

Syria

SyriaSource

Dec 11, 2015

Riyadh Conference: The Regime is Unlikely to Accept the Opposition’s Newly Unified Position

By Faysal Itani

On December 10, Syrian opposition groups met in Saudi Arabia in their most serious attempt yet to present a united political front in negotiations to end the conflict in Syria. That the diverse array of opposition groups was able to agree on negotiation terms is an unprecedented sign of unity. However, the hardline group Ahrar […]

Syria
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