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.]
Inside Syria
Syria’s southern rebels draw up new game plan
the Southern Front’s political plan is projected to have a large appeal to the civilians and weaken support for extremist Islam.
Assad’s secular sectarianism
In Syria, there has been what is known as “hidden sectarianism.” “Sectarian identities are neither discarder for a higher national identity nor are they allowed to present themselves and be discussed openly. “
Syria activists mourn `death` of revolution
As the clash between jihadists and regime troops in Syria remains, activists lose hope and claim that their revolution has died along with their hope for freedom.
Conflicting policies on Syria and Islamic State erode U.S. standing in Mideast
As the military campaign against the Islamic State continues in Syria, IS has held its strongholds and even expanded their reach. The fight continues without resolve, while damage only accumulates in the region.
Islamists come out on top in new effort to unify Syrian rebel groups
“Seventy-two Syrian rebel groups on Saturday announced a new coalition to battle the government of President Bashar Assad.”
The Islamic State (IS) and Pledges of Allegiance: The Case of Jamaat Ansar al-Islam
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi analyzes the case of Jamaat Ansar al-Islam (‘The Group of the Supporters/Partisans of Islam’), which has traditionally been a rival of IS.
Amid war, Damascenes promote cycling with mass bike ride
Mustafa al-Haj reports "the war did not stop local activists in Damascus from organizing a public bike ride aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of cycling as an alternative means of transportation”.
The Arabic version of the above article can be found here:
بسكليت عالطريق ولا نطرة بالزحمة
As Syrian army closes in, Douma residents turn against rebelsKhaled Atallah writes about the increasing resentment of Douma’s residents who "protested against Jaish al-Islam for monopolizing food supplies to the Damascene suburb, while Syrian government forces edge closer to retaking the rebel stronghold".
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
دوما بين حصار النظام وتجويع المعارضة وصراعاتها
The Factions of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab)
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi provides an overview of the rebel factions operating in Kobani at the present time. According to Al-Tamimi the “YPG-rebel cooperation is still local and exceptional in nature, and does not point to a fundamental shift in the dynamics of the conflict.”
U.S. will use psych evaluations, stress tests to screen Syrian rebels for training
Missy Ryan reports "The U.S. military will subject Syrian rebels taking part in a new training program to psychological evaluations, biometrics checks and stress tests under a screening plan..."
Assad’s secular sectarianism
Mohammad Dibo provides an insight on the ‘hidden sectarianism’ of Assad`s regime.
Regional and International Perspectives
Syria denies targeting civilians, tells US to criticize militants
Both U.S. forces and Syrian military are aiming at Syrian targets in separate campaigns; however, Syrian military has been accused of striking civilians.
Syrians reach a new level of desperation, with limited international support
Sarah Case gives her take on the importance of aid of the Syrian refugees from host countries. Hospitality is at a breaking point.
Erdogan slams US on Syria again, days after Biden visit
“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls US "impertinent" on Syria, says West likes seeing Muslim children die; Israel considers extension of Iran nuclear talks as better than a bad deal"
Baghdadi vs. Zawahri: battle for global jihad
Bruce Riedel provides an insight about the rivalry between Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri and Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi who are engaged in a battle for the hearts and minds of Islamic militants worldwide.
TSG IntelBrief: The Islamic State’s Potential to Expand to North Africa
“An increasing number of extremist groups in North Africa are pledging allegiance to the Islamic State; however, most of them are small and have no institutional links to its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi”
Turks increasingly sympathetic to Islamic State
Pinar Tremblay reports how " The Islamic State`s declaration of a caliphate has generated conflicting views in Turkey".
Policy and Reports
Syrian rebels to be heavily screened before US military training
U.S. will begin to subject Syrians to a more strict screening plan before providing and expanding support for armed groups in the region.
The Islamic State
The Soufan Group’s Special Report on The Islamic State.
The Myth of the Caliphate
Nick Danforth tackles the political history of the Caliphate.
Economy and Agriculture
Syria’s Assad regime cuts subsidies, focuses ailing economy on war effort
Falling tax revenues, the collapse in currency, and inflation are just some of Syria’s economic crises. Syrian government makes subsidy cuts.
With diesel scarce, Syrians turn to solar power as an emerging energy option
Fuel scarcity has left many Syrians civilians with minimal access to hot water and heat. Syria looks to promote the use of solar power.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
من صقيع شيكاغو الى ثمانينات تدمر
Rowaida Youssef Kanaan hosts Bara Sarraj, Hassan al-Nifi and Abu al-Majd Nasser who provides their testimonies as ex-political prisoners during the 1980s in Palmyra Prison.
Syria’s Civil War: The Regional Dimension
Rethink Rebuild‘s conference on the Syria crisis in Manchester.
Arabic:
خطة دي ميستورا ... استكمال لصيغة جنيف وليست انقلاباً عليها
In response to Ibrahim Hamidi’s article, Rim Turkmani argues that de Mistura’s plan doesn’t aim to ditch the Geneva negotiation framework but rather to complete its shortcomings.
مقترحات دي مستورا في سورية: تسويات صغيرة تصطدم بعوائق كبيرة
Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies reviews major obstacles that confront the implementation of de Mistura`s plan in Syria.
"كشّاشو" حمام الثورة السورية
Khalaf Ali Al Khalaf criticizes the phenomenon of media activists who did not hesitate to fabricate stories to support the Syrian revolution.
سورية… ظلال التقسيم
Mazen Bilal comments on Joshua Landis plan for ending the Syrian conflict through division of the country.
من `هلوسات` التقسيم إلى الحل السياسي
Ammar Dayoub comments on Joshua Landis plan for ending the Syrian conflict through division of the country.
طائفية صامتة لكنها أمّ الطائفية
Rateb Shaabo writes the sectarian policy of the Syrian regime as a causal factor sectarianism.
القلمون: انشقاق في «داعش»
Radwan Mortada reports about the expulsion of Abu Talal al- Hamad the Emir of ISIS in Qalamoun.
«النصرة» تخلف «داعش»: مرحباً بـ«شرطي الثورة» الجديد
Suhaib Anjarini reports how Jabhat al Nusra uses ISIS tactics in al-Rastan by acting as the “Police of the Revolution”.
عن "الائتلاف" السوري... كواليس ملاحظات من رمادا بلازا في اسطنبول
Michel Kilo discloses the deep dispute during the last meeting of the Syrian National Coalition in Ramada Plaza Istanbul.
جبهة النصرة ومعركة نبل والزهراء: خلفيات واستراتيجيات
Omar al-Halabi provides an insight about the reasons behind Jabhat al- Nusra’s offensive in the isolated villages of Al-Zahra and Nubl.
معاذ الخطيب: ليس عندي عصابة وأحاور لإنقاذ سورية
Interview with former President of the Syrian National Council (SNC), Moaz al Khatib,
بيان موقف لوقف الاشتباكات : المدنيون في سوريا متاريس خلال الاشتباكات بين الأطراف المتنازعة انتهاكات لحقوق الإنسان وفشل في تحييدهم عن الصراع العسكري.
“The data collected by the Development Interaction Network during the months of July, August and September 2014, shows that throughout the Syrian territories, the majority of military clashes took place in populated areas and/or along contact points.”
The English version of this article can be found here:
Civilians in Syria: barricades during the armed clashes between the conflicting parties - human rights violations and failure to prevent civilians the collateral damage in the armed conflict
«الربيع العربي» ... إنه الصقيع
Muhammad Sayed Rassas writes about the failure of the “Arab Spring” and its causes.
تغيير لا إصلاح: حول خيارات الانتقال السياسي في سوريا (5)
Saber Darwish provides his perspective on The Carter Center`s project for political transition in Syria, "Syria Transitions Options Initiative."
البحث عن الأولويات والاتفاق على مبادئ فوق دستورية (6)
Mohammad Saleh provides his perspective on The Carter Center`s project for political transition in Syria, "Syria Transitions Options Initiative."
في خيارات الانتقال السياسي (7)
Anwar Al Bounni provides his perspective on The Carter Center`s project for political transition in Syria, "Syria Transitions Options Initiative."