Inside Syria
Syria deaths hit new high in 2014, observer group says
2014 has been the deadliest year for the conflict in Syria and this conflict has ultimately destabilized the Middle East.
Islamic State school closures in Syria affect 670,000 - U.N.
Syrian youth are being deprived of their education due to the fact that IS has ordered the closing of schools to change the current curriculum.
U.S. airstrike in Syria may have killed 50 civilians
U.S. officials acknowledge a handful of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes in Syria.
Young Syrians make easy prey for militants
“By September, Abu Mahmoud said the family faced an ultimatum. They could either accept a new life in Raqqa under the banner of ISIS, he said, or they could flee.”
Sunni-Alawite couples in Syria defy sectarianism
An Al-Monitor Correspondent in Syria writes about challenges that confront Sunni-Alawite couples in getting their families` approval for marriage and society`s acceptance of their relationships as the sectarian tension has escalated.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
عشاق يواصلون مقاومة الطائفية في سوريا
Bombs, shells mark Aleppo’s new year
Mohammed al-Khatieb reports how Syrians in Aleppo received the new year with fear and hope for an end to the ongoing bloodshed.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
عام جديد ومزيد من الأماني والخيبة للسوريّين
Syrian charities battle corruptionMustafa al-Haj reports about the recent marathon in Damascus, in which roughly 2,000 Damascenes participated, to raise funds for Syrian cancer patients as well as to make up for a significant drop in available medication due to corruption in the Syrian Health Ministry.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
ماراثون خيريّ للتبرّع للأطفال المصابين بالسرطان يقابله فساد حكوميّ
Jamaat Ansar al-Islam in Syria Joins The Islamic State?
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi provides an insight about the relation between Jamaat Ansar al-Islam (JAI) and the Islamic State (IS) after purported allegiance to IS by JAI.
Syria in 2015: Political Stalemate Again, or Compromise?
2015 begins with new proposals to resolve the conflict, Yezid Sayigh analyzes how "the dramatic geo-political and military changes can leave the conflict dynamic unaltered and the stalemate unbroken" as the 2014 has shown.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
سورية في 2015: حلّ وسط أم استمرار الجمود؟
Syria Photo Guide
Daniel Demeter provides a variety of photos that covers Syria’s wide range of archaeological, cultural and natural attractions before the civil war.
CENTCOM`s Twitter Hacked By ISIS?
“Central Command has been hacked by ISIS, according to messages posted on CentCom`s Twitter page”
Regional and International Perspectives
Oil prices have collapsed, but oil-rich ISIS says it`s still in the black
Oil prices are rapidly decreasing, and there is a significant amount of external pressure being put on ISIS, however this does not seem to be hurting ISIS as much as planned.
Britain`s MI5 chief warns al Qaeda in Syria planning mass attacks on West
MI5 warns of al Qaeda attacks on “iconic targets,” a serious level a threat may be eminent.
Assad`s Secret: Evidence points to Syrian push for nuclear weapons
Assad may have a push for nuclear warfare, or his ability to wage unconventional warfare is gone.
Why the Islamic State Will Continue to Exist in 2015
Lina Khatib provides her perspective on the reasons that will keep The Islamic State as a major actor in the Syrian conflict in 2015 and beyond.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" باقٍ في 2015
Amid Raging Violence in Syria, Lebanese Sunnis Turn Backs on Islamic State
David Kenner analyzes the fallout of the twin suicide bombings by al Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front that targeted Tripoli`s predominantly Alawite neighborhood of Jabal Mohsen.
Policy and Reports
Report reaffirms Syria chemical weapons use
Al Jazeera reports that the use of chemical weapons in Syria is confirmed but not which side used them. Chemical weapons facilities are slowly coming to a halt.
Salman Shaikh: Syria is a ‘Broken, Fragmented, Divided State`
Salman Shaikh on the expectation for a political solution in Syria in the coming year.
U.N.’s Fear of Angering Assad Leaves Gap in Syria Aid Effort
“U.N. effort to supply hundreds of thousands of Syrians in rebel-held areas with food, water, and medicine falling dangerously short.”
Syria Update: January 6-12, 2015
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides the last updates on the situation in Syria during the period January 6-12, 2015.
U.S. Military Investigating if Airstrikes Killed Civilians in Iraq and Syria
“Allegations of civilian deaths raise questions about the need for deeper U.S. military involvement in the war against the Islamic State.”
Disarming the Lords of War
Denise Garcia provides an insight on the new treaty, The United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which comes into force on Christmas Eve this year. This treaty will make weapon transfers between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad “illegitimate and shameful, even in the absence of a sanction or embargo.”
Economy and Agriculture
Haboosh: Regime will crumble economically before militarily
Syrian businessman and opposition figure claims that the Syrian economy may deal the final blow to the Assad regime.
موقع داعش في حرب الغاز و مسارات أنابيبه
Azad Ahmad Ali provides an insight about the relation between ISIS-controlled territory and the pipelines and gas fields.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Syrian Photo Guide
Daniel Demeter shares the beauty of the Syrian cultural, natural and archaeological sites and attractions.
Kazakh Child Soldier Executes ‘Russian Spies’ in Islamic State Video
A new video released by the official Islamic State media wing, Al Hayat Media, shows a Kazakh child soldier executing two men, allegedly identified as Russian “spies.”
قناة الميادين حوار خاص مع هيثم مناع حول جدية الحراك الروسي لحل الأزمة السورية
Al-Mayadeen TV Channel interviews Haytham Manna about his perspective regarding the recent Russian initiative to mediate the Syrian conflict.
"سبايا الخلافة": وثائقي بي بي سي عن الأيزيديات
The BBC documentary about sex slaves being held by ISIS and the trauma of the Yazidi women who bravely tell their stories.
Malta: Refugees Dying at Europe`s Doorstep
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie travelled to Malta and met three people who risked everything to reach safety.
Arabic:
جدل العنصرية في لبنان
Ammar Daioub tackles racism against Syrians in Lebanon.
تبادل أسرى بين النظام السوري و"داعش" جنوب القلمون
Osman Al-Mukhtar reports that the Syrian regime and ISIS made a deal to exchange prisoners in Kalamoon, Syria.
«داعش» يقطف ثمار «غزوة باريس»
Abdullah Suleiman Ali comments on the recent France Charlie Hebdo attacks and its connections to Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
الأمراض المعدية أحد تحديات الحرب السورية
Malak Mackie talks about Syrian losses and challenges in the health sector.
سوريا: معدلات الولادة ترتفع.. برغم الحرب
Ala`a Halabi discusses the outcomes of a recent report about Syrian increasing population in the context of war.
ولكن... لماذا موسكو - 1 حول سورية؟
Akram Al-Bouni discusses different views of Moscow`s decision to hold a peace conference about Syria.
تشاؤم من "تلزيم" مصر القضية السورية
Anas Al-Kurdi writes about the Syrian Opposition`s views of conducting talks in Egypt and Russia.
تنوير فلسفي أم تبرير سياسي
Ammar Daioub discusses the role of intellectuals and opposition elites in the Arab revolutions including the Syrian Uprising.
آخرها ذبح إمام مسجد وإلقاء شاب من سطح مبنى .. قائمة بـ "الحدود" التي أقامتها التنظيمات بسوريا
This article reports list of Islamic Hudud that were implemented by armed groups inside Syria.
الفقر والبرد يجتاحان سلمية.. ومن هم الأغنياء الجدد؟
Hasan Arfeh writes about poverty and current hard life conditions in Al-Salamiyah city in western Syria.
بالصور: «داعش» يطلق «رجال الحسبة» في «ولاية طرابلس»
This article reports ISIS implementation of Hisbah in Tripoli, which means the duty of the ruler to command right and forbid wrong according to Sharia.
«داعش» يتمدد نحو اليمن والجزائر!
Abdullah Suleiman Ali discusses ISIS new expansions in Syria, Yemen, and Algeria.
The English version of this article can be found here:
Islamic State announces new province in Syria