[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to syria@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
Regional and International Perspectives
Threat of Failure Micah Zenko assesses the efficiency of coercive diplomacy.
The Fugitive Harald Doorbos and Jenan Moussa profile Abu Omar, once jailed in Abu Ghraib and now fighting with the ISIS in Syria.
CIA Ramping up Covert Training Program for Moderate Syrian Rebels
Lost in the Pipeline: Tracking Jihadists From Turkey to Syria Idris Emen on how young men decide to go fight in Syria.
May 26: Assad’s Departure Date? Brian Whitaker claims that “for the first time since the Syrian conflict erupted, a political solution under UN auspices is beginning to look like a real possibility.”
Turkey`s strategy for a prolonged Syrian civil war Ali Gokpinar suggests that “overall, Turkey needs to develop a sustainable Syria strategy if it wants to deter any internal and external threats and be influential in Syria`s future.”
Syria`s Kurds, hopes and fears Vicken Cheterian interviews Saleh Muslim Muhammad, the head of the Partiya Yekitiya Demokrat (Democratic Union Party / PYD).
ISIS Maps Emirate Borders in Syria Mohammed Ballout examines ways in which the organization is trying to take control of northern Syria.
Syria Narratives
Freedom for Jihad and Syria’s Wretched of the Earth Budour Hassan profiles journalist and Marxist dissident Jihad As’ad Muhammad, who was recently arrested by the Syrian regime.
Syrie: Accord Sur le Dos du Peuple The author reiterates their opposition to the agreement between Russia and the US on 14 September, allowing the Syrian regime to destroy its chemical weapons while continue its attack on the people.
A Syrian solution to civil conflict? The Free Syrian Army is holding talks with Assad`s senior staff, claims Robert Fisk.
Why Support the Syrian Revolution Michael Neumann argues that “the refusal to support the Syrian revolution exposes the uselessness of every political entity - every nation, every court, every assembly, every movement, every human-rights outfit – supposedly out to civilize the world.”
Syria’s Foreign Fighters Al Jazeera’s The Stream episode with guests Aaron Y. Zelin and Anna Therese Day.
Syria’s Top Five Insurgent Leaders A list by Joshua Landis.
Regarding Syria Three pieces on Syria: The life and work of anarchist Omar Aziz, and his impact on self-organization in the Syrian revolution; Group of Syrians Respond to Jeremy Bowen’s “Coverage” of Syria; Response by a Syrian anarchist to the First of May statement on Syria.
A reply to Stephen Zunes on military intervention in Syria Nader Hashemi replies to Stephen Zunes’ response to his piece.
En Syrie, Refusons la Fable D’Un “Orient Complique” The Abounaddara collective rejects the “complicated Orient” narrative that has maintained inaction over Syria.
The Army of Islam is Winning in Syria Hassan Hassan says “the project of establishing a counterweight to extremists, which will be necessary to salvage Syria`s future, has so far been feeble.”
Are Greek Neo-Nazis Fighting For Assad in Syria? Brian Whelan suggests that yes, there are.
Bring Syrian Cleric and Activist Mother Agnes to Your City! Mother Agnes, criticized by many for her pro-Assad stances and her denying of the chemical weapons attack in Damascus, is touring the US and Canada starting this month.
The Inside Story of One Website’s Defense of Assad The story behind Mint News that published a story alleging that it was the rebels who had used chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta last August.
Voices of Syrian women in civil resistance Nada Alwadi writes: “although we now hear guns more than peaceful chants in Syria, and while the news of armed rebellion overshadows discussion of nonviolent resistance, an everyday survival activism performed by civic groups, especially women, keeps the movement alive, and this is done in a much more subtle way than overt protests and demonstrations.”
Inside Syria
Syria: Operation Capital Shield Continues as Free Syrian Army Fragments Marah Mashi claims that the Syrian regime is gaining the upperhand in the war.
In Homs, Snipers Take Aim From ‘Tower of Death’ Yazan Homsy and R.R. report from Homs.
Al-Qaeda Branch Battles Kurds, Threatens Ankara Basel Dayoub reports from Aleppo.
Watching Rebels Fight Among Themselves for the City of Raqqa Alice Martins reports on the fragmentation of the armed opposition in Raqqa.
Death of the “Brave One” On the death of “Abu Shuja,” an AFP photojournalist from Deir Ezzor.
Syria: Agony of Victims of ‘Napalm-Like’ School Bombing Ian Pannell returns to Syria to see what happened to the victims of the bombing.
Video Games an Cigarettes: Syria’s Disneyland for Jihadists Christoph Reuter suggest Atmeh village is now an important hub for foreign jihadists coming into Syria.
Tawhid Division Schools in Aleppo Excise Regime Propaganda
Arts and Social Media
Za’atari Refugee Camp Vice meets with refugees as well as practitioners speaking about the psychological impacts of the war on children.
The Syrian Islamic Front Claim To Have Stopped A Mosque Bombing By Government Agents A virtual investigation by Brown Moses
Syria Smartphone Mapping Effort Puts Spotlight On Hidden Refugees
Policy and Reports
Lost in Syria’s Blackhole for Doing Their Jobs A Human Rights Watch review of the arrests of various journalists, activists, lawyers and doctors in Syria.
Special Reports: A Report on Branch 215, Raid Brigade Military Intelligence Division - Damascus
What Does the Syrian Kurdish Opposition Want? A KurdWatch Report
UN Security Resolution 2118, 27 September 2013
Economy and Agriculture
Exchange Company Crackdown Sees Arrests, Closures Syrian Observer translates the news that “A severe crackdown by Syrian authorities against money exchange offices to curn illegal money exchange in Damascus is underway”
Arabic
الكيميائي... لزوم ما لا يلزم
أزمة السوريّين العميقة في دهاليز المفاوضات الدوليّة
حزب العمل الشيوعي وافتتاحية بمناسبة ذكرى التأسيس
أبرز نقاط قرار مجلس الأمن عن الأسلحة الكيمياوية بسوريا
الائتلاف السوري المعارض يحتضر وامريكا باعت العرب لايران!
لكنْ ماذا عن «جنيف 2» وعن فرصه واحتمالاته؟
سوريا: بدء مهمة المفتشين عن الأسلحة الكيميائية وسط تكتم تام
ميشيل كيلو: لن أذهب بالشروط الحالية إلى جنيف “وإن قطعوا رأسي”
!!عندما يذهب ميشيل كيلو بعيداً
Riyadh Drar responds to Michel Kilo’s refusal to attend Geneva with the current given conditions.
مجموعة من النساء السويديات يسلطن الضوء على المحنة الإنسانية للاجئين السوريين
ومضة" فلاش موب سوريا"
من أين نبدأ؟
Haytham Mannaa analyses the current political situation in Syria.
أكراد سورية لا يريدون الانفصال نحارب النظام و«النصرة» ونخشى مجازر
"جنيف "2 ": صراع الاولويات
Amer Sabaileh on “Geneva 2”.
...ويبقى للتاريخ قول
روحاني في السعودية من تنازل لمن؟
عن «شروط» الائتلاف الذي.. يحتضر!
كيف يواجه حزب الله الحملة ضدّه في الشارع العربي؟
Najat Abdel Samad on her trip from Sweida to Damascus.