Syria

By Kinda Alsamara, The University of Queensland; Eleanor Gordon, Monash University, and Elliot Dolan-Evans, Monash University (The Conversation) – The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now lifted sanctions against […]

Donald Trump

Between Two Enemies: Syria’s Silence in the Israel-Iran Conflicts

Daanish Faruqi

( Aljumhuriya ) – Even as a ceasefire has, for now, calmed tensions between Israel and Iran, Trump’s decision to officially join Israel’s war effort has been illuminating on a multitude of fronts. In particular, it revealed how quickly Iran was able to cultivate global support for its sovereignty and multiple calls for restraint, particularly […]

Human Rights

Syria: Türkiye-backed Armed Groups Detain, Extort Civilians

Human Rights Watch

New Syrian Government Should Ensure Accountability Human Rights Watch – (Beirut) – Syrian National Army (SNA) factions that fought the Assad government with backing from Türkiye continue to detain, mistreat, and extort civilians in northern Syria, Human Rights Watch said today. These fighters are being integrated into Syria’s Armed Forces, with their commanders appointed to key government […]

Donald Trump

Trump Lifting Syria Sanctions is a win for Middle Power Turkey

The Conversation

By Hyeran Jo, Texas A&M University and Ece Göztepe Çelebi, Bilkent University (The Conversation) – President Donald Trump announced while in Saudi Arabia on May 14, 2025, that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria. The turnaround was a huge victory for the government of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as he attempts to consolidate […]

Donald Trump

Removing Syria Sanctions is a Win for the People, Whatever Trump’s Motives

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Syrians are rejoicing at the announcement on Tuesday by President Donald J. Trump that he will lift U.S. economic sanctions on Syria, at the advice of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, among others. Saudi Arabia gave Trump the quid pro quos he wanted for […]

Syria

Syria faces renewed Sectarian Violence as Government Fails to deliver Inclusivity

The Conversation

By Katya Alkhateeb, University of Essex and Faten Ghosn, University of Essex (The Conversation) – A recent surge in violence against Syria’s Druze religious community has reportedly seen over 100 people killed since the start of May. This is a grim extension of sectarian targeting that began with the massacre of Alawite civilians in March. […]

Syria

Syrian Women and Children return to rebuild, leaving Husbands Behind

Open Democracy

In need of capital to rebuild, Syrian men are staying in neighbouring countries to work while their wives head home By Melissa Pawson and Mahmoud Abo Rass | – ( OpenDemocracy.net) – Zahra Ziad met her in-laws for the first time when she moved in with them. Ten days after the former president of Syria, […]

Featured

Trump Administration to draw Down Troop Presence in New, Fundamentalist Syria

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Tara Copp at AP reports that the Trump administration will withdraw some of the 2000 troops now based in southeastern Syria. Some 600 will come out, leaving about 1400. The US has 8 small bases there and will close 3 of them. According to the UAE press which draws on […]

Displaced and Refugees

Syria after Assad: Why many Syrian Refugees aren’t returning Home

The Conversation

By Charlotte Al-Khalili, University of Sussex and Melissa Gatter, University of Sussex (The Conversation) – When news of Bashar al-Assad’s downfall broke on December 8 2024, 13 years after the beginning of the Syrian uprising, Syrians around the world rejoiced. We rejoiced along with them, having spent the last decade in conversation with Syrians displaced […]