Syria Program Commentary & Analysis

MENASource

Sep 3, 2021

Afghanistan demonstrates why it’s time for a clear Syria policy, starting with northeast Syria

By Reem Salahi

If Afghanistan is to teach us anything, the Biden administration should not ignore Syria by having a non-existent policy. The longer the Syrian conflict continues, the more intractable and unmanageable it becomes.

Middle East Syria

MENASource

Sep 2, 2021

To honor two generations of service members, prevent the next GWOT ribbon

By Caroline Donnal

Today, executive and legislative actions signal a shift: America’s military footprint in the Middle East is shrinking and thousands of troops are coming home.

Afghanistan Iraq

MENASource

Sep 1, 2021

On the way out like Afghanistan? The Biden administration’s Syria policy labyrinth

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

The United States’ narrow objectives and continuous wait-and-see approach are not sustainable and the likelihood is that America’s rivals in Syria would work towards a US departure.

Middle East Syria

MENASource

Aug 10, 2021

This organization is working with armed groups to protect Syrian civilians. Here’s how they do it.

By Francois Zankih

While international efforts have not succeeded in ending the civil war in Syria, the humanitarian organization, Geneva Call aims to reduce violations committed by armed non-state actors against civilians.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 7, 2021

The situation in Daraa is dire. Here’s how it might play out.

By Navvar Saban and Manaf Kuman

Daraa province hasn’t witnessed a military campaign like this since the Bashar al-Assad regime took control of the province in July 2018.

Conflict Middle East

MENASource

Jul 15, 2021

Empower Syrians Not Warlords: Against the re-branding of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

By Rahaf Aldoughli and Azzam Al Kassir

Currently, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s ambition for complete governance is only lacking external legitimacy. If HTS gains this, it will be to the detriment of civil society groups and Syrians who aspire toward human rights.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jun 14, 2021

Narcos: Syria edition—and what the US can do about it

By Ian Larson

Little-consumed outside the Middle East, captagon—also known as the “poor man’s cocaine”—has proliferated, owing to an industrial boom centered predominantly in war-torn Syria, where the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad now relies on narcotics as a financial lifeline.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jun 8, 2021

Five years of Russian aid in Syria proves Moscow is an unreliable partner

By Jonathan Robinson

After Russia’s first year in Syria, Russia became even more explicit with its intentions about the use of humanitarian aid. In other words, humanitarian aid had become a key soft power instrument.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 24, 2021

The US sanctions regimen against the Assad regime is working. Here’s how.

By Peter Metzger

The US' targeted and tailored sanctions regimen not only give the US and its allies leverage toward a political resolution to the conflict, but so too do said designations hold together a de facto nationwide ceasefire throughout Syria.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Middle East

MENASource

May 18, 2021

Factbox: Iranian presence in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province

By Navvar Saban

Since the beginning of 2018, Iran has been directly involved in the battle against ISIS in eastern Syria. Through its participation, Iran has been able to carry out its expansion project specifically in Deir ez-Zor, a province bordering Iraq that is troubled by a fragile security situation.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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