[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]
International and Regional Perspectives
Assad and Annan: Back to Square One Jean Aziz provides an account of what was said at the Monday meeting between Assad and Annan, as the two men tried to negotiate a new ceasefire plan.
No Winners in Syrian Civil War Antoun Issa, against the current “with or against” dichotomy that shapes public opinion of the Syrian uprising, suggests a “with Syria`s national interests, or against” approach.
Jordan’s Royal Adventure Against Assad Nahed Hattar speculates that the victory of Morsi and the Brotherhood will affect Jordan’s handling of the Syrian crisis.
Syrian Fighters and the Lebanese Coffee Break Ziad al-Zaatari says opposition fighters and activists now enjoy “widespread” “political immunity” in the Land of Cedars.
Fear of Iran and Syrian Bloodletting Meir Javendanfar argues that if the West gave some leverage to Iran, the latter could then use the Syria negotiations as a means of extracting concessions (on Bahrain, Hezbollah etc.)
Where you Don`t Always get What you Want Brian Fishman outlines three problems with a possible military intervention in Syria, as called for by both conservative and liberal voices in the U.S.
The international community and the Syrian opposition face a new test Mihyedin Iso writes that the Syrian political opposition currently lacks the experience to establish a country for all Syrians, but maintains that the genuine opposition will “never shake hands with those who have blood on their hands.”
A multi-polar cold war at the expense of Syrians Salam al Kawakibi on the breaking of Syria’s conspiracy culture, which for decades “afforded local thinking, both official and popular, the kind of self-satisfaction that often relies upon renouncing any shred of responsibility”
Will Syria cause a divorce between Turkey and Iran?
Syrian Narratives
Syrian General Manaf Tlass: Neither Here Nor There Sharmine Narwani says the general is “not that important from either a military or political perspective” but “useful for some perception-creating headlines.”
Manaf Tlass Defects As’ad AbuKhalil asks if “the search for high-ranking defectors so desperate that criminals and oppressors are welcomed to join the cause?”
Asma and Bashar: Syria`s British Royals Al Akhabar chooses a selection of emails from the “Syrian files” to give us an insight on the Syrian president and his wife’s daily lives, adding that there is nothing very important in the files as “the military-security machine, which remains as of yet tightly in control and far from prying eyes.”
A Word on the Tlass Departure Maysaloon says Tlass appears to “tick all the boxes” and might be a way to maintain the security apparatus under a Sunni dynasty and might reflect the latest negotiation between the Western allies and Russia/Iran.
Syria: Abandoning the sinking ship? Al Jazeera discusses the latest “defection” of General Manaf Tlass with three guests - Akil Hashem, Yasser Tabbara and Nikolaos van Dam.
How to Solve or Not to Solve the Syrian Crisis? Nikolaos van Dam speculates on Syria scenarios, while setting clear parameters for Western interference and considers the “least bad” option.
US-NATO Intel Op? Release of WikiLeaks “Syrian Files” Intended to Set Up Assad Susanne Posel questions the timing of the release of the “Syrian files.”
WikiLeaks press conference on release of the Syria Files
Art and Social Media
Syrian Cartoonist Ali Ferzat: `They broke my hands to stop me from drawing Assad` (Video)
Slain Filmmaker Bassel Shahade: "It`s very dangerous to hold a camera around this country" (Video)
Infographic: The Syrian squeeze Al Jazeera on foreign sanctions imposed on Syria.
Imperialism and the Left
Asad Apologists: The Ostrich Syndrome
Hillary`s "Cowboy Diplomacy" There will be hell to pay for NATO`s Holy War Pepe Escobar writes Hilary Clinton’s latest statements disapproving of China and Russia’s stance “shows how desperate the NATOGCC compound is to force regime change in Syria.”
To oppose, or not to Oppose?Maher Arar says foreign interference is exaggerated and the international community’s “indifference” is better for the future of Syria and its independence.
Inside Syria
Das Gespräch mit Baschar Bashar al Assad’s interview in English with a German journalist, where he discusses Syria’s “national challenge.”
The Little Syrian Town That Could David Kenner makes a picture gallery of some of the most creative posters drawn by people in the Syrian village of Kafranbel.
Syria: A revolution divided Tracey Shelton is in Idlib and meets with FSA fighters disillusioned with the group’s blackmailing and the increasing emphasis on the role of Islam in the fight against the Syrian regime.
Adopt a Syrian Rebel Tracey Shelton gives an insight on the logistics behind the funding of anti-government fighters by external sources including “donors, military experts and weapons merchants.”
No sects please: we’re Syrian Rita tells us of her encounter with Sunni conservatives who helped her and he friends escape the shabiha chasing them at a funeral.
Champagne Flows While Syria Burns The author spends time with the elites of Damascus and notes that the city “has become a schizophrenic place; a place where people’s realities no longer connect.”
The Trend of ‘Wiping’ ElJokh (sucking up)… one of the Oldest Inventions of the Syrian Regime Rita on elJokh wipers, this “class of person forms the infrastructure of the rampantly corrupt system in the Syrian state”
Policy and Reports
Halting Syrian Chaos by Robert D. Kaplan and Kamran Bokhari from Strafor conclude that “fighting a proxy war with Iran and Russia there is less desirable for the United States than reaching out to them.”
Shenkar at WINEP David Schenkey says the importance of Tlass’ ”defection” is going to depend on the US’s ability “to leverage Tlass` defection to foment a decisive fissure in the military.”
Arabic:
مظاهرة في “عرين الأسد” بوضح النهار
The National Coordination Council for the Forces of Democratic Change in Syria provides Syrian Journalist Sawsan Mahrous’s account of a protest she witnessed in the Al-Muhajirin Neighborhood in Damascus.
سورية وحرب التسليح والاستخبارات
Waleed Shoqeir writes about the international response to the Syrian Struggle.
الأزمة السورية وخارطة الطريق المحتملة
Hussein Al-Adwat writes about recent speculations that the international community is considering the possibility of providing financial and political support for the Free Syrian Army in order to solve the current Syrian struggle.
انطباعات من القاهرة; هل المطلوب وضع وثائق لا معنى لها ولا وظيفة؟
عيون وآذان (اليوم يُكتب في سورية الفصل الأخير
Jihad Al-Khazen writes about former Minister of Defense Mustafa Tlass’ family and the recent defection of his son, Manaf Tlass.
لماذا ثارت حمص؟
السلطة والمعارضة في سوريا: إفلاس خطاب المؤامرة
Mohammad Dibo writes about the Conspiracy rhetoric that the Asad regime has adopted.
من صور التعذيب في معتقلات سوريا
تسمية إحتجاجات الجمعة: وسيلة أم غاية في حد ذاتها؟
البوستر السياسي السوري .. الكلمة في وجه الرصاصة
Aram Tahhan writes for Jadaliyya about the spread of posters of Al-Asad and Baathist symbols in public spaces in Syria before the outbreak of the uprisings, and their subsequent destruction and the introduction of new ones that symbolize freedom and revolutionary principles after the fact.