[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
Water shortages leave Syrians in Aleppo thirsty and desperate Water has become scarce in the city of Aleppo, as residents have resorted to using untreated well water.
Syrians struggle to celebrate Ramadan as civil war rages on For years Syrian residents have struggled with a relentless civil war. With food scarcity, higher prices, and increasing war tension, celebrating the holy month of Ramadan seems almost unsettling.
Syria increasingly disintegrates in crucible of war Regional and global powers tug at Syria in a proxy fight for their own interests, but none of them have the will to reunite Syria.
Syrians worry Palmyra`s history will be erased The prolonged fighting in Syria has resulted in the destruction of historic sites, such as Palmyra.
The Syria Impasse Russian and American experts collectively see no way out in Syria. It is no longer clear what peace or victory would entail.
Yes, Talk with Syria`s Ahrar al-Sham Robert S. Ford and Ali El Yassir discuss the reason why Ahrar al-Sham are a key force on the battlefield in Syria.
ISIS Destroy Palmyra Ruins According to Syrian Human Rights Committee, ISIS have published photos in which some of its members are seen to be destroying statues from the city of Palmyra (Tadmur).
ISIS video shows execution of 25 men in ruins of Syria amphitheater A recent-released video from ISIS shows militants executing 25 captives in the ruins of a Roman amphitheater in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra.
Franciscan Priest Kidnapped in Syria The Custody of the Holy Land, the Franciscan Church body that oversees sacred Catholic sites throughout the Middle East, reports that it lost contact with Father Dhiya Aziz, who is a parish priest in Yacoubieh in Idlib Province and suspected that al-Nusra Front had kidnapped him.
More than 50 IS child soldiers killed in Syria in 2015 According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 50 child soldiers recruited by the ISIS group in Syria have been killed since the beginning of this year.
That’s What the Donor Wants The new campaign That’s What the Donor Wants reflects a growing unease among Syrian commentators as well as civil society workers with the relationship between international donors and development agencies and their Syrian counterparts and beneficiaries.
The Women Who Secretly Keep ISIS Running A captured ISIS ‘bride’ has revealed the inner workings of a women’s network that’s responsible for recruiting, spying, and enforcing sexual slavery in the so-called caliphate. An Arabic version of this article can be found here: “العميلات السريات” وراء استمرار “الدولة الإسلامية”
The deadly consequences of mislabeling Syria’s revolutionaries Labib Al Nahhas, the head of foreign political relations for Ahrar al-Sham, writes that the Obama administration’s response to the Syrian conflict is an abject failure.
Syria civil war: Bomb damages Aleppo`s ancient citadel A bomb explosion has caused part of the walls of Aleppo`s ancient citadel, which was built in the 13th Century and is part of a UN-listed World Heritage site, to collapse.
Syria: Kurdish Forces Violating Child Soldier Ban According to Human Rights Watch, the Kurdish armed group that controls territory in northern Syria, despite some progress, is still not meeting its commitment to demobilize child soldiers and to stop using boys and girls under 18 in combat. An Arabic version of this article can be found here: سوريا ـ قوات كردية تنتهك حظر تجنيد الأطفال
‘No One Has an Interest in Destroying the Syrian State’ In an interview with the Syrian Observer, Syrian scholar Kheder Khaddour argues that the Syrian regime uses its control over state institutions as a means of legitimization. Drawing a clear line between the state and the regime may not always be easy but it is essential if Syria wants to avoid the fate of Iraq, he adds.
In Yarmouk, hope is the only currency with value According to Kareem Shaheen, with water, food and electricity in short supply, Syrians and Palestinians in the besieged Yarmouk refugee camp must find beauty in simple things.
Regional and International Perspectives
Syrian Islamists reach out to the U.S., but serious issues remain “As has become obvious, the Obama administration’s response to the Syrian crisis is an abject failure.”
No one has an interest in destroying the Syrian state “The Syrian regime uses its control over state institutions as a means of legitimization.”
Obama: Iran must play a role in ending Syria`s civil war President Barack Obama signals a significant public shift in US policy toward Syria.
Isis in Syria: We can`t win a war without taking sides The US and Britain might have to rethink their strategy in Syria before its too late.
Obama says U.S. to increase support for Syria opposition President Obama indicates that the US will do more to train and equip the opposition in Syria.
What does the Iran Deal mean for Syria? The Iran deal is likely to ensure the growing financial and political clout of Iran, but additionally, more support for Syria’s pro-government militias.
The Islamic State Marks One Year as a `Caliphate` Aron Lund comments on a one-year anniversary of announcing ISIS as a “caliphate” and Abu Muhammad al Adnani’s public announcements.
The Syrians are coming Melissa Wall and Dana Janbek write about letting Syrian refugees into the US and criticize that a very small number of Syrian refugees have been granted asylum in the states.
Don’t bruise the Druze This article by The Economist argues that "for more than four years since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, Israel has studiously avoided getting sucked in by the fighting on its border. Aside from a number of air strikes on convoys transferring weapons to Hizbullah, a Lebanese militia, the Jewish state has refrained from taking sides. That may be about to change as Israel warns that it will act if Syria’s Druze minority is endangered."
United against ISIS… or is it ISIL or the Islamic State? Chris Doyle argues, "ISIS storm troopers are not invincible superhumans from the latest comic strip blockbuster. They are very vulnerable."
U.N. Chief: World Should Be Ashamed at Failure to End Syria Conflict U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said recently that the world should be ashamed that three years after major powers approved a blueprint in Geneva to bring peace to Syria the suffering of its people is reaching new depths and the country is "on the brink of falling apart."
Now the truth emerges: how the US fuelled the rise of Isis in Syria and Iraq Seumas Milne argues that ISIS won’t be defeated by the western states that incubated it in the first place.
Isis are barbarians – but the Caliphate is an ancient Muslim ideal John Casey argues that ISIS use an attractive ideological appeal of "healing the divisions of Islam and forming a single state under God`s law is a dream that stands at the heart of all Muslim traditions."
Why Isis will hate it if we start calling them Daesh In the wake of the Tunisia beach attack, there is increasing pressure to stop calling Isis by the self-chosen name "Islamic State", on the grounds that it grants the terrorist group legitimacy.
Syria is caught between bombs and butchery Hassan Hassan argues that "as long as the suffering and sacrifices of people on the ground are overlooked, the world should not expect true partners in the conflict. The savagery of the Assad regime is no less than the barbarity of ISIL. On the contrary, it helps perpetuate it."
Hariri hits out at Hezbollah`s expansionist ambitions in Syria Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri hits out at Hezbollah`s intervention in the war in Syria, accusing it of using the Palestinian cause to fuel Iran`s expansionist ambitions.
Policy and Reports
What Does the Iran Deal Mean for Syria? Aron Lund reflects on Iran Deal possible consequences on the Syrian conflict. An Arabic translation of the article can be found here: دراسة لمركز كارنيغي: ماذا يعني الاتفاق الإيراني لسوريا؟
The Syrian nonviolent movement "Perspectives from the Ground" A new report by Dawlaty Foundation provides an overview of the reflections of Syrian activists on the reality of their movement, as well as the movement’s role, potential and ability to regain the lead.
To read and download "Executive Summary" in English click here.
To read the article in Arabic click here: الحراك المدني السوري "رؤى ميدانية"
To read full PDF report in Arabic click here.
Hope amid Despair: Syrian Civil Society Craig Browne argues that "in the throes of violence and chaos, the central government has lost significant control over territory inside Syria, and as a result more space has again opened up for civil society organizations—both political and apolitical."
صراع بين اتجاهات التنمية Through The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS), Samir Seifan, a Syrian economist, writes about the conflict between development trends.
الحزام (العربي) في الجزيرة السورية This study by Azad Ahmed Ali is about the Arabization of Syria, specifically Al-Jazira region in Syria.
ملايين الأطفال في سوريا معرضون للمرض بسبب شح المياه وحر الصيف UNICEF warns that dwindling supplies of safe drinking water in the hot summer months in Syria will introduce children to the risk of diseases transmitted through water.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Ogres and Orientalism: An Interview with Yassin al-Hajj Saleh Radio Free Syria editor Ruth Riegler interviews Yassin al-Hajj Saleh who shares his perspective about the Assad regime, Daesh and the West.
Alep Destruction une partie du rempart de la citadelle This video shows damage to Aleppo citadel walls after rebels detonated tunnel bomb there.
Fares Al-Khodor, the Syrian Boy Who Made Beirut a Better, Brighter Place, is Dead This photo essay is about Fares Al-Khodor a child who was rose seller in Hamra and died recently as a result of an airstrike on his hometown of Al-Hasakah in Syria.
نبض سوري | تجربة العمل المدني في سراقب This video explores the Civil work experience in Saraqib, Idlib Governorate.
فتح حلب || بيان تحرير ثكنة البحوث العلمية من قلب البحوث العلمية This video shows Syrian rebels declare their full control of the Military research center in Aleppo.
الباحثة السورية بسمة قضماني تتحدث عن تجربتها السياسية والمدنية في الثورة - أنا من هناك Dima Wannous interviews Bassma Kodmani a Syrian academic and former spokesperson of the Syrian National Council.
Arabic:
العملية التعليمية في مناطق سيطرة المعارضة المعتدلة Saber Darwish writes about the educational process in the Syrian moderate opposition-controlled areas.
ياسين الحاج صالح: العرب ضد سوريا.. ولا ثورة دينية بأوامر سياسية (حوار) In this interview with Yassin al-Haj Saleh, he shares his ideas about issues like Arabs position toward Syria and political Islam.
بتهمة الردة.. “داعش” تعدم أبرز علماء السنة في العراق ISIS executed the most prominent Sunni scholars in Iraq, Ahmed Ali Saleh al-Qaisi.
«جبهة النصرة» تنعى الوحيشي في رسالة صوتية Al-Nusra Front mourns Nasir al-Wuhayshi, the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, in an audio message.
"داعش" في الذكرى الأولى لإعلان "الخلافة".. السيطرة على نصف سوريا ومجازر لا تنسى On the occasion of the first anniversary of ISIS foundation, this article reviews the human rights violations by the group.
«داخل سوريا» غريب يقصّ حكايتنا فكيف نكتشف ذاتنا في حكايته؟ Yara Bader reviews Reese Erlich`s book Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War and What the World Can Expect.
نتائج عكسية للتغطية الصحفية لحالات اغتصاب الدواعش للنساء في سوريا Jumana Ali writes about the counterproductive outcomes of the press coverage of rape cases against Syrian women by ISIS members.
مازن الناطور: كل فنان لم يقل كلمته اليوم لا بارك الله به ولا بفنه An interview with Mazen Al Natour, Syrian actor, who shares his views on Syrian drama during the war.
داعش يبيع 100 من "السبايا" السوريات بسوق "النخاسة" في الفلوجة وينظم مسابقة للقرآن جائزتها "سبية" Da`ash sold 100 of his female Syrian "captives" in a "slave" market in in Fallujah and organized a Quran competition that awarded a "Sabbieh" for each winner.
مسرحية تراجيدية يونانية تعطي أملا للاجئات سوريات A group of about 30 Syrian women refugees have joined a drama project and are performing an ancient Greek tragedy play "Antigone of Shatila" which is proving cathartic for them. An English version of this article can be found here: The tragedy giving hope to Syria`s women
حصرياً.. الفتاة التي ألهمت العالم.. من هي "مالالا سوريا"؟ The article featured Mason Alumblyhan who is called the Syrian Malala.
"جبهة النصرة" تقتحم مراكز للشرطة الحرة بريف إدلب Al-Nusra Front attacked a police center for the free Syrian Army in Idlib.
في تعريف الكتابة النسوية ونموذجها السوري Wijdan Nassif writes about Syrian feminist writing during the ongoing conflict.
"مايا" سوريّتـنا الأخيرة Hazem al-Amin shares the story of his Syrian friend Maya and the deporting of Syrian middle class from Lebanon.
زراعة الأسطح.. والاكتفاء الذاتي في الغوطة This article states that people of Gota are conducting rooftop farming as a strategy for self-sufficiency.
غموض يلف مقتل الشويب .. «منشد داعش» Al-Shuaib, a chanter of ISIS, was killed in a mysterious circumstances.