[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
Palestinian Initiative to End Fighting in Yarmouk Camp Mahmoud Abbas sent a delegation to Damascus to present a two-step plan to end fighting in the Palestinian camp that became a major battleground last year.
Lebanon Developments
War in Syria Highlights Vulnerability of Palestinian Refugees Anne Irfan explains the dire conditions in Lebanese Palestinian camps, which are witnessing an influx as a result of migrating refugees from Syria.
In Lebanon, Syrian Refugees Resort to ‘Survival Sex’ Many have likened this latest development to the situation with female Iraqi refugees in Syria.
New Lebanon Border Protocol Targets Syrians Usama Al-Qadiri says “efforts are underway to curb Syrian traffic into Lebanon.”
Kurdish Developments
Has Turkey Made a U-Turn on Syria’s Kurds? PYD leader Salih Muslim says he has received the green light for Kurdish autonomy in Syria, a development Cengiz Candar contextualizes.
Syrian Kurds Want Transitional Administration Now an interview with Mohammad Ballout, on Turkey’s decision to enter dialogue with the PYD.
Multiple Narratives of Aggression Against Kurds in Syria Thomas McGee says “significant as the recent conflict intensification is, it does not come out of the blue, as international reporting might have us believe, but rather reflects the convergence of several existing dynamics across the region.”
PYD Leader Assassinated in Qamishli Issa Hisso is a commander in the PYD who was assassinated this week.
Turkey’s Kurdish Question Extends to Syria Kadri Gürsel analyzes the implications of Ankara's "harsh" reaction to the PYD’s control of Rasulayn (Ras al-Ain), and contrasts this reaction to the indifference the government displayed when the town was under Syrian al-Qaeda.
Syrian Kurds and Turkey's Worries Doğu Ergil analyzes the three results of "the Turkish government's reversal of attitude in supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and taking an active stance in organizing, supporting, and arming Syrian rebels."
Turkey’s Syria Policy in Shambles Over Support for Jihadists Semih Idiz writes that Turkey's "overreaching and one-dimensional Syria policy" is facing challenges after the victory of Syrian Kurds against Islamist fighters in Ras al-Ain on July 19.
Turkey’s Northern Syria Dilemma Sami Kohen explores Ankara's fears over potential Kurdish autonomy in Syria.
The Decisive Minority: The Role of Syria’s Kurds in the Anti-Assad Revolution A report prepared by Omar Hassino and İlhan Tanır in March 2012 sheds light on the recent developments in Syria.
IRIN Analysis: The Syrian Urban Refugee Problem in Northern IraqThe Domiz camp was supposed to provide for 25 000 refugees, but is now hosting 60 000.
Syrian Narratives
Syria: A War Within a War?Al Jazeera’s Inside Syria program with guests Louay Almokdad, Yezid Sayigh and Haytham Sbahi.
BBC Newsnight (09 July 2013) Debate: Should we arm the Syrian opposition forces? A debate featuring Sir Malcolm Rifkind (UK Foreign Secretary ) in favor of the arming and John Baron MP against it.
In Search of the Good Guys A Huffington Post hangout with Lara Setrakian, Aron Zellin, Ayham Kamel, and Elizabeth O’Bagy.
Vatican Concerned About Kidnapping of Italian Jesuit Paolo Dall’OglioThe priest was allegedly kidnapped following a meeting he had with members of Jabhat al-Nusra.
God is Shy - A Story From SyriaFollowing the news of Father Paolo’s kidnapping and unclear fate, a poignant story resurfaces providing insights into the life and character of a man now trying to seek “victory without revenge.”
How Women in One Syrian City Keep Protests AliveMaryam Saleh on the peaceful resistance movement in Salamia, revealing the survival of peaceful opposition.
Syria’s Unspoken Crimes Janine Di Giovanni has been in and out of Syria to document instances of sexual violence throughout the conflict.
Assad’s No Enemy of Al Qaeda Michael Weiss argues that “al-Qaeda’s rampage through Syria, now the latest obsession of counterterrorism and Pentagon officials, is not really a simply case of “blowback”; it’s more like a controlled demolition by an extremely savvy contractor.”
100 Intellectuals Pledge To Preserve Revolutionary Principle“Emphasizing the importance of Syrian "independence in decision making," the intellectuals signed a statement that said they refuse Syria's involvement in regional conflicts.”
Political Solution in Syria is Little More Than Illusion The National’s editorial on Syria : “In a conflict measured as much in human suffering as it is by gains and losses on the battlefield, the nations that have backed the opposition owe it to all Syrians to ensure the outcome is acceptable. The alternative is truly unthinkable.”
Syria Says Army Retakes Homs District From Rebels The Syrian army has made territorial gains in Khaldiyeh.
At Least 22 Killed in Syria Weapons Depot Blast This occurred in Homs’ district of Zahra.
Syria’s Moderate Rebels Wane As Extremist Forces DominateCharles Lister explains how “the most notable trend in Syria in 2013 has been the increasing strategic supremacy of Islamist groups, particularly in the northern half of the country.”
Inside Syria
Christian Battalion Declared in Damascus A video that made the rounds this week, complicating the sectarian narrative and the ‘minorities vs Sunnis’ dichotomy.
Activists in the Aleppo Countryside Prefer Arming the Opposition to Military Intervention The Syrian Observer translates this Damascus Bureau’s piece showing how many activists inside Syria remain staunchly opposed to an intervention.
Lettres de Syrie (23) Joumana Maarouf sends her regular correspondence to Ignace Leverrier, on how she lived through the latest events in Damascus.
Al-Qaeda's Syrian Recruits: The Case of 'Abu Majed' Edward Dark says “Ghajar was just another promising young Syrian, tragically a victim of the madness and bloodshed that has engulfed this nation, tearing it apart and consuming its best and brightest.”
“There can be no military intervention in Syria”: Interview with Syrian activist Edward Dark“In some areas, like Damascus and Aleppo, the regime has seen growing support among the population previously sympathetic to the uprising as compared to a year ago.”
Leaving Damascus: Syrian Air Travel Sinks Under Sanctions Mawada Bahah writes about the increasingly expensive and dangerous trips out of Syria.
In Syria, Signs of Civilian Massacre Sam Dagher reports from Bayda.
Arts and Social Media
Crossing Political Divides, one Broadcast at a TimeAlison Tahmizian Meuse on the new radio station called “radio al-kul,” an opposition station broadcasting in 6 provinces in Syria
Kafranbel Banners Sell for 425 Euros The famous banners are being sold to raise money for the Houla area and Kafranbel
Bashar Al-Assad Introduces Syrian Bike-Sharing Program A satire by the Onion.
Aleppo Rebel Religious Committee Forbids ‘Colonial’ Croissants If nothing else, the croissant fatwa hoax is a testament to how convincingly good Syrian satire is.
Using Technology to Help Educate Syrian RefugeesWissam S. Yafi outlines the main challenges to providing education to Syrians, and potential solutions to respond to those through the use of technology.
Attacks on Orient News Illustrate Syria’s Many Threats
Syria in Ruins A photo gallery showing the extent of the destruction in Syria.
Mapping the Battle in Qamishli
Syria Refugee Crisis - A Day in the Life The Guardian features a pertinent social media conversation fostering a dialogue between experts, refugees and the general public.
Policy and Reports
Human Rights Watch: Arrests of Syrians in Egypt Raise Deportation FearsA Human Rights Watch update.
EU Commissioner: Refugee Crisis 'Horrifying' as Public Health Deteriorates
United Nations May Fall Short of Food Aid in Syria
Syria’s War Halves Wheat Harvest, Erodes State Share
Iran and Syria Sign 3.6 bn Oil Deal
How Food Aid is Being Used As a Weapon in Syria NPR’s Deborah Amos on how food aid is increasingly used as weapon of war.
Arabic
خان العسل!
ماذا فعل الرفيق السوري لأوجلان في اسطنبول؟
"حتى الكلاب أكثر حرية منا": الفلسطينيون في مخيم "سايبر سيتي" للاجئين من سوريا
رسالة من حلب:مع السوريين المتروكين لمصيرهم
كش ملك
عن يوسف، الفنان الشيوعي ببطاقة
عن السياسة و آفة العسكرة
في تهافت "إصلاح" السلطة و هزله
يوسف عبدلكي/مارسيل خليفة شكرا لك لأنك لم تحرر الحرية من أنوثتها، حررتها من ذكورتها
الثقافة و الثورة
غرب كردستان: من الديفاكتو إلى الانتخابات و المأسسة
الإرهابيون الثلاثة: حزب الله، حماس، وحزب العمال الكردستاني!؟