[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
The Islamic Caliphate
The Jihad Next Door Rania Abouzeid’s lengthy feature in which she explains how Al-Qa‘ida developments in Syria is key to understanding the situation unfolding in Iraq.
A Rogue State Along Two Rivers Jeremy Ashkenas, Archie Tse, Derek Watkins and Karen Yourish present an informative map revealing how “the victories achieved in the past few weeks were built on months of maneuvering along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which define a region known as the cradle of civilization.”
5 Questions with Thomas Hegghammer on Jihad and Jihadi Cocktails He answers the following questions: “What has been the reaction of other Islamist groups—from the politicos to the jihadis—to the declared return of the “Caliphate”? To what extent are these reactions important? How has it been different from al-Qa’ida in Iraq calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq years ago?”
Sunni rebels declare new `Islamic caliphate` On 30 June, ”Armed group ISIL changes name to Islamic State, and says its empire extends from Diyala in Iraq to Syria`s Aleppo.”
A Message to the Mujahidin and the Muslim Ummah In the Month of Ramadan A translated version of Baghdadi’s first public statement on the creation of the Islamic Caliphate and the duty of believers to migrate to fight in the “state.” The Arabic video version can be found here.
The Return of the Khilafah A fifty-page English language magazine called “Dabiq,” which seeks to promote the idea of the caliphate. Here is an overview on its importance and impact, according to AFP.
Now a caliphate has been declared, the debate begins Hassan Hassan describes the conversation as “a collective soul-searching from intellectuals, religious scholars and ordinary people from within the region.”
How a talented footballer became world’s most wanted man, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Ruth Sherlock provides a brief glimpse into al-Baghdadi’s life as she drives around the streets he grew up on.
The Six Words You Need to Know to Be a Successful Jihadi and Establish Your Own Caliphate Following the first public speech by al-Baghdadi, Mohammad D explains six keys words corresponding “to consecutive stages integral to actualizing the jihadi goal and reveal much about the beliefs that motivate jihadis”
Obama Admin Debates Whether Assad Really Must Go Josh Rogin reports that “as President Obama slowly but surely increases the U.S. military presence on the ground in Iraq, his administration is grappling with the immediate need to stop the ISIS advance and push for a political solution in Baghdad. The 3 1/2-year grinding civil war is Syria has been put on a back burner for now.”
The Colonial Strategy of ISIS in Syria Felix Legrand conducted interviews in northern Syria in 2013 and 2014 and “describes how ISIS, a group external to Syrian society, has been able to develop colonial-style control over the province of Raqqa and part of the surrounding provinces. ISIS has been able to exploit the social fragmentation created during the past forty years of Assad rule”
Global Talk: How is Iran reacting to Iraq and Syria crisis? “Randa Slim, from the Middle East Institute speaks to Justin Vela about how Iran is responding to the crisis in Iraq and Syria.”
Two British men admit to linking up with extremist group in Syria “Yusuf Sarwar and Mohammed Ahmed, who were reported to police by family member, plead guilty to terrorism offences”
Opinion: The Western ISIS and its Second Rebirth Diana Moukalled asks “what drives youths to leave their societies and relatively stable lives, some even successful, to put their lives in jeopardy? Is it a crisis of identity and inability to integrate in Western societies, or an attraction to a belief, religion and greater affiliation?”
ISIS assigns Abdel Salam al-Ordoni "prince" of Lebanon “According to information acquired by the broadcaster, Ordoni gave orders to Al-Monther Hassan to provide suicide bombers with explosives,” which were then used in the Duroy Hotel bombing in Beirut’s Raouche.
Beirut hotel suicide bomber identified as twenty-year-old Saudi national Abdul-Rahman Nassir al-Shneifi
Iraq is Lost, Save Syria: Kamal Khashoqji says “ISIS is no longer just an organization; it is now a real state with oil resources and a million-strong constituency”
The Student Accused of Smuggling Jihadi Money in Her Underwear Nico Hines reports that the “London-born Nawal Msaad is on trial at the Old Bailey after being arrested at Heathrow with rolled-up 500-euro notes worth $27,000 in her panties—allegedly for jihadi fighters in Syria.”
Opinion: ISIS Has Reshuffled the Regional Cards Huda Al Husseini suggests that “the militant group’s capture of Mosul two weeks ago proves that Abu-Bakr Al-Baghdadi and his lieutenants can think strategically”
Syria`s Druze reject autonomous statelet despite growing ISIS threats A piece from al-Akhbar translated by the Syrian Observer, in which the author asks: “Will the Syrian state prevail and continue to be the protector of the Druze? Will the Druze be able to form their own canton in the event of the collapse of the state?”`
We Need to Clarify Syrians Aspirations Walid al-Bunni outlines five points that must be taken into consideration for a solution to the Syria crisis.
Other
Syrian Girls for Sale in Turkey as So-Called “Second Wives” Maha Khadour explains how “poverty forces fathers to sell their daughters to pay the rent for a hut to house the rest of the family members”
Binanah: Syrian Students Can Now Enroll in Turkey’s Universities “Mohiuddin Binanah, interim Minister of Education, said that Syrian students can now enroll in Turkish universities following the Turkish government’s recognition of the high school certificates of the academic years 2013 and 2014.”
Jordan admits to barring entry of Palestinian refugees from Syria Aaron Magid explains how “Jordan, with half its population already estimated to be Palestinian, is concerned that admitting more Palestinians from Syria will alter its internal demographics and change the balance of power.”
Turkish truckers try to get on the road again Fehim Tastekin says “Turkish transporters now find themselves in dire straits after the closure of roads first in Syria and now in Iraq.”
Iraq Events Are a Revolution According to Burhan Ghalioun the events are “a revolution against the policies of Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki that rejected national dialogue, the imposition of a fait accompli by force, after dividing Iraq according to sect and ethnicity.”
Syria: Should the West Work With Assad? Frederic C Hof says that “if acceptance of and cooperation with a regime neck-deep in war crimes and crimes against humanity should become thinkable, then the amazingly deep extent of the fall will be painfully clear to one and all.”
Iran’s Agony in Syria According to Jassem al Salami, “the death of one Iranian officer in particular has resulted in a major intelligence coup for rebel forces. They found among the officer’s possessions notes detailing the regime’s command and manpower problems.”
Opinion: A World Cup Of Blood Salam al Kawakibi says the international public found an escape by following the World Cup and forgot about Syria (article translated by the Syrian Observer).
When you`re not bored, you`re scared: Syrian asylum seekers in Bulgaria Sophie Cousins reports on the lives on Syrian asylum seekers in Bulgaria.
Syrian Narratives
Losing the Lonely War Lauren Wolfe says suicide is becoming a crisis in Syria.
Syria`s Western-backed opposition elects new president Reuters reports that “Syria`s Western-backed opposition, the National Coalition, elected Hadi al-Bahra, chief negotiator at the Geneva peace talks, as its new president on Wednesday after a three-day meeting in Istanbul.”
Muhajireen Battalions in Syria (Part 3) Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi on Saraya ash-Sham and the ISIS- Gaza contingent.
A Path to Peace in Syria David Lesch asks: “Can the Syrian regime give up enough power to satisfy at least the minimum requirements of a critical mass of the opposition?”
Syria Between the Anvil and the Hammer Walid al-Bunni for The Syrian Observer says “After all the sacrifices made by the Syrian people for freedom and dignity, it is painful and humiliating for any patriotic Syrian to have reached the day when the dominant forces on the Syrian ground are either Baghdadi`s extremists or Assad`s mafia.”
Table ronde #4 : Thomas Pierret discusses the sectarian dimensions of the war.
Who`s who: Mouaffaq Nyrabia The Syrian Observer presents Nyrabia as “a moderate leftist with clear liberal leanings, described as a figure of compromise”
Are Syrian opposition fighters ‘former farmers or teachers or pharmacists’? Glenn Kessler says “the president is being misleading when he describes the Syrian opposition in purely civilian terms without acknowledging that a substantial portion of the fighters are actually ex-military personnel. “
Inside Syria
Threat of Starvation Lingers in Yarmouk Camp The Damascus district is unable to receive food aid form UNRWA.
Up to 186 Kurdish students kidnapped by Isis in northern Syria James Harkin reports from Ayn al-Arab.
Daraya Local Council Governs City under Siege Rahif Ghanem reports on an urban farming program that “tries to supplement needs of besieged metropolis.”
Eastern Ghouta: Between Assad’s Army, Car Bombs and ISIS Souad Kibye for The Syrian Observer reports on the latest developments in Ghouta.
Al-Bouleil Local Council Struggles To Recruit Activists In Deir-Ezzor governorate, “Councillors say young people are deterred from joining organisation due to militant threat.”
Arts and Social Media
Syrian Crisis: Seeing Conflict Through Art Some of the art produced by Syrian artists in a residence in Lebanon.
Khaled Khalifa: "Revolutions Can`t Be Reversed" Soraya Morayef interviews the Syrian novelist and asks him about his work and how the situation in Syria has influenced his writing.
ABOUNADDARA’s Take on Images in the Syrian Revolution: A Conversation between Charif Kiwan and Akram Zaatari (Part One) Based on a workshop organized by Sonja Mejcher-Atassi at the American University of Beirut, 11 April 2014
Syria’s Underground Film Club: Anonymous ‘Emergency Cinema,’ No Dead Bodies Nina Strochlic writes a feature on the Abounaddara collective and some of its work.
Moderate Syrian Rebel Application Form A satire by Andy Borowitz.
Policy and Reports
Face-to-Face National Opinion Poll in Syria A twenty-six-page face-to-face National Poll asking citizens various questions assessing their current well-being and their view on the conflict and the president’s performance. Conducted by ORB International and based on data collected in May 2014 across both government and opposition-held areas.
Syrian Kurdish Forces Demobilize Child Soldiers Carl Drott and Alexandra Di Stefano Pironti report on NGO Geneva Call’s statement that “Syrian Kurdish forces have demobilized 149 children from their ranks and have signed a commitment to protect children in armed conflict”
Diplomats: Staffan de Mistura is new Syria envoy According to diplomats “Veteran Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura has been chosen by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to replace Lakhdar Brahimi as the international point man on Syria”
Il existe une crise sanitaire majeure en Syrie que personne ne voit: la santé mentale Lauren Wolfe on the mental health crisis which emerged as a result of the conflict.
Economy and Agriculture
The Role of Oil and Gas in the Syrian Conflict Alakhbar speaks with Syrian physicist Adnan Mustafa (translated by the Syrian Observer).
Syria Signs €193 million Contract with Russia`s Stroytransgaz According to Sana news agency.
`Water war` threatens Syria lifeline Danya Chudacoff reports that “Water supplies have dropped in key areas due to a sharp increase in production at the rebel-controlled Euphrates Dam.”
Resources
A useful map of which territories are controlled by whom.
Arabic:
لاجئات يُعلن 145 ألف عائلة سورية
The United Nations announces that there are more than 145 thousand Syrian refugee families.
!الخطر الأكبر والمصالحة الكبرى
Samir al-Aitah on the holding a “national dialogue” conference for Syria especially after the escalations in Iraq.
من سايكس ـ بيكو إلى حرب المئة عام
Atallah Assalim on colonialism and its effect on the Middle East.
تصنيع معارضة معتدلة وشرعَنَةُ الائتلاف
Tarek Ajib on the US policy towards Syria and the Syrian National Coalition.
سوريا: من نتائج لغة السلاح
Mataz Hisso on the results of the language of weaponization in the Syrian situation.
الأزمة في سورية: الحرب الأهلية وتهديد الأمن العالمي
Ban Ki-moon on the Syrian struggle and the “threat to global security”.
الحرس الجمهوري في حلب: بدء سيناريو حمص
Basel Dyub and Laith al-Khatib write that the military command has transferred some units from the National Guard to Aleppo.
أزمة تحليل اليسار للحدث العراقي
Salam Kayla on the leftist analysis of events in Iraq.
اليسار الميكانيكي والثورة
Bassem Chiit on the “mechanical left” and the revolution.
د. محمد حبش: ولكن من أين جاءت داعش
Dr. Mohammad Habash problematically frames ISIS as a revolutionary and “natural” product of the politics in the region.