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

Nov 19, 2015

Top News: November 19, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Turkey’s Erdogan urges united Muslim front against terror– Obama says Assad must go; would veto bill toughening Syria refugee checks– France says Russia open to cooperation as Moscow demands sovereignty be respected– Syria army, rebels in talks over 15-day truce near capital– Syria no breeding ground for ISIS, says Assad– Iraqi-Kurdish leader says Paris […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 18, 2015

Hezbollah’s Winning Hand

By Fidaa Itani

Hezbollah stands helpless following the explosion at its headquarters based in al-Dahieh (the southern suburbs of Beirut) on November 12. For three years, while fighting in Syria, it has been alternating between sectarian and nationalistic justifications to legitimize its actions therein, but now finds the fighting in the heart of its territory.

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 18, 2015

Top News: November 18, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Obama calls on Russia to focus on war against ISIS in Syria; international debate Assad– French, Russia raids in Syria kill 33 ISIS militants; ISIS stiffens defenses in Raqqa– Syria accused of attacks on medical facilities and personnel– Turkey detains eight Europe-bound ISIS suspects ‘posing as refugees’– Abadi orders an investigation into attacks on […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 18, 2015

A Presidential Pardon for ISIL in Syria?

By Frederic C. Hof

Having executed an abomination in Paris while promising more to come, the leaders of the Islamic State (ISIL, ISIS, or Da’esh) in Syria may well have expected the West to shake off its lethargy and build a coalition of ground combat forces to hunt them down and kill them. But perhaps they acted with the […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 17, 2015

Top News: November 17, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Kerry says Syria could be ‘weeks away’ from transition– France deploys aircraft carrier to support Syria raids– Russia ‘outraged’ at accusations it killed civilians in Syria– Syrian Kurdish-Arab alliance captures nearly 200 villages from ISIS– US ground invasion out of the question; US, Turkey launch operation to take border with Syria – Kurdistan continues to […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 17, 2015

The Islamic State’s Molding of Syrian Children

By Feras Hanoush

ISIS is recruiting a new wave of combatants into its ranks following the joint forces’ advances into Raqqa province and to assert its control over larger swaths of the northern outskirts of Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that between January and August 2015 1,100 children under the age of sixteen have been […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 16, 2015

Vienna II: Civilian Protection Lite

By Frederic C. Hof

The countries and organizations attending the second round of Syria talks in Vienna, now calling themselves the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), gave short shrift in their written statement to those Syrians most in need of their support: the victims—past, present, and future—of the Assad regime’s relentless program of mass homicide. Buried in a pile […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 16, 2015

Top News: November 16, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Two US states shun Syria refugees in wake of Paris attacks– US warplanes strike ISIS oil trucks; US delivers ammunition to Syrians fighting ISIS– After Paris attacks, French jets pound ISIS– Nusra Front kills leader of ISIS affiliate– World powers push timetable for Syria solution– Iraq warned of attacks before Paris assault

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 13, 2015

Top News: November 13, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Assad wins strategic victories ahead of Vienna talks– United States to cripple ISIS-controlled oil fields in Syria– US air strike targets ‘Jihadi John’ in Syria– ISIS claims deadly twin Beirut explosions– Two soldiers killed in PKK mine attack in Turkey’s southeast– Kurdish forces seize Iraq’s Sinjar town from ISIS

Syria

SyriaSource

Nov 13, 2015

Vienna II: Who’s a Terrorist?

By Frederic C. Hof

On Saturday November 14, the participants of the October 30 Vienna conference on Syria will reconvene in the same place. This despite the fact that Assad regime attacks on civilians have relented not in the least. Indeed, military aircraft of the Russian Federation have supplemented the civilian-centric bombing campaign of Moscow’s client, reportedly adding cluster […]

Syria
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