[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 Many Roles of Turkey in the Syrian Crisis Alsi Ilgit and Rochelle Davis suggest that Turkey’s “multi-faceted engagement is part of [it]’s overall effort to position itself as a major player on both the regional and global stage.”
Ou se Sitent Saleh Muslim and le PYD Kurde Dans la Revolution en Syrie Ignace Leverrier on Mohammed Saleh’s visit to France and developments in Syrian Kurdistan.
Iraq Accuses Qatar of Financing Jihadi Groups in Syria
Syrian Narratives
The Syrian Cataclysm Omar S. Dahi, noting the humanitarian crisis and the crumbling Syrian economy, says that “organizing for a future Syria must not wait until the deadly stalemate ends.”
What’s Next for Syria A radio piece with guests Steven Heydemann, Joshua Landis, Nour Malas and Omar Hossino
A More Optimistic Version Somewhat apologetically, the Economist publishes Wissam Jaizairy’s critique of its previous article, saying that “one aspect of the country that has not been destroyed is the creativity.”
How Climate Change Worsened Violence in Syria Tim McDonnell on this overlooked aspect of the crisis
How Michel Kilo Negotiated a Tenuous Truce in Ras al Ayn Omar Hossino on the work of this “Christian dissident” heading the newly formed Committee for the Protection of the Civil Peace and Revolution.
Jihadis Grow More Dangerous as They Conquer Hearts in Syria Hassan Hassan provides an interesting investigation of those groups by profiling some of their members.
Syria’s Children Traumatized by War Tareq al Abed says disorders among children is ignored and should be a priority.
Border is Just a Line Between Homs and Hermel Wafiq Qanso on the historical ties between the two cities.
Syria’s House of Cards After discussing with a Syrian physician and cleric now in Turkey, Amal Hanano writes: “uncertain about how this bloody, two-year revolt will play out, many Syrians have essentially decided not to decide on their stance toward the conflict.”
Jihadi Forum Issues White Paper on Struggle Ahead in Syria
Mystery of a Death on the Beirut Road Robert Fisk speculates on the death of a senior member of the Iran Revolutionary guard in Syrian.
Assad Loses a City David Kenner says : The fall of Raqqa is just the latest example in what has been a consistent deterioration of Assad's control over northern Syria.”
One Million Syrian Refugees. Two Obstacles to Addressing the Problem David Bull says intensifying violence and the lack of humanitarian aid worsen the situation for the Syrian refugees.
Syria’s War Once a Rural Revolt now Threatens Urban Elites Stephen Starr says that the conflict created a deep rural/urban divide that will be difficult to reconcile
Sectarian Narratives Promote Troubling Agendas, not Justice Yaman Salahi argues that sectarianism is “is a discourse of power that obscures some forms of oppression or worse glamourises them.”
Syria President al Assad’s Interview with the Sunday Times
Inside Syria
The Interview: A Botched Mass Defection on a Kurdish lieutenant’s defection story
Resilient Damascus John Wreford, who remains in the Old City, presents a grim portrait of his life in Damascus.
On the Frontline Battle for Syria’s Lebanese Villages
One on One with the Leader of Jabhat al Nusra Tracey Shelton meets with al Amir Ghazi al Haj.
Art and Social Media
In Kafranbel, Witty Slogans Encroaching Islamists Mohammed Sergie talks to Raed Fares, the man behind the famous Kafranbel posters, and asks him about his views on the rise of extremism in Syria.
Abou Eskandar Kayani Web TV on a project called "Kartouneh From Deir Ezzor" which reveals the hardships facing peaceful activists in Deir Ezzor.
Debke session in rural HamaA video of debke dancing from Rif Hama posted with a political message mocking claims about how the opposition is characterized
Down Goes the Dictator! A Visual History of Statue Vandalism by John Hudson, who suggests the Raqqa statue destruction might become another iconic event.
Front Line Defenders Interview Razan Ghazzawi on her work for the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression as well as her personal experience of the revolution.
Social Media Buzz: Where They Shoot the Messenger Mohammed Sergie on the death of Adballah Yasin, a media activist suspected to have been killed by a small FSA battalion.
Do News Blackouts Help Journalists Held Captive Frank Smyth on the ethics of withholding information about kidnapped journalists.
En Syrie Le Duo Comique ne Fait Plus Rire PersonneThe authors remember the legacy of Yassine Bakoush, killed by a rocket last week.
Policy and Reports
Month-by-Month Summary of Developments in Syria (Updated) International Crisis Group’s monthly update
Losing the Syrian Grassroots The German Institute for International and Security affairs presents this report on how to strengthen and support the bottom-to-top mobilization effort by grassroots organizations.
Arabic
طلاب سوريا يتكيفون مع الحرب: التعليم أولا!
Tarek Al-Abed writes about school and education in Syria during the current struggle.
Fayez Sarrah questions whether a political solution is possible in Syria, while devising a few criteria that would lead the regime to seriously accept such a solution.
صالح النبواني: اعتقلوني ٣١ يوما بتهمة الإغاثة!
Saleh Annabawani tells the story of his arrest for 31 days under the conviction of humanitarian aid.
Suhaib Anjarini on the destruction of cultural and historical monuments in Aleppo.
Akram Al-Bunni reflects on the Syrian struggle after two years.
في نقد الثورة: جدلية التضحية و القطيعة
Ward Kasouha provides a critical analyses of the "revolution" in Syria and Egypt and blurred boundaries between the old regime and its establishments that still persist.
كلمة الشيخ معاذ الخطيب في مؤتمر "أصدقاء الشعب السوري
Muath Al-Khatib's speech during the "Friend of the Syrian People" conference.
Cartoon part of a project called "Kartouneh From Deir Ezzor" which reveals the hardships facing peaceful activists in Deir Ezzor.
تودد أو الثورة التي لا تؤنث لا يعول عليها: الجزء الثالث: التأنيث في الشعر الثوري
Abdullah AlBayyari writes about the gendered discourse in poetry and the need to "feminize" it.
بدايات مستمرة و الثورات في "أول السكة"
Fawwaz Traboulsi provides the introduction of the latest issue of Bedayat Magazine, which focuses on Syria and provides articles written by some of the most influential opposition activists and intellectuals.
الخروج من المعبد: توليفات في انثربولوجيا الغناء العربي
Ahmad Alwasel publishes on Jadaliyya the introductory chapter of his newest book about the anthropology of Arabic singing.
حوار موسع مع فواز طرابلسي عن الثورة السورية
Dialogue with Fawwaz Traboulsi and Muhammad Al-Attar about the Syrian revolution.