Middle East

Celebration in Damascus

Syria’s popular revolution and the extraordinary collapse of Assad’s genocidal regime

Michael Karadjis — There will be many struggles ahead, but for now Syrians are celebrating one of the most decisive and popular revolutions ever.
map of Syria december 9

Syria: The fall of the regime, the future of the country and Turkey’s war on the Kurds

Dave Holmes — The extremely rapid and unexpected fall of Syria’s Assad dictatorship is a political earthquake in the Middle East.
Taking down Assad Syria flag

The collapse of the Assad regime: An interview on Syria with Gilbert Achcar

Gilbert Achcar explains the sudden collapse of the Syrian regime.
Douma, Syria

Syria after Assad: Hope and uncertainty

Bulent Gokay & Vassilis K. Fouskas — Amid the significant and rapid transformation unfolding in Syria, two sub-imperial powers, Israel and Turkey, are seeking to redesign the region.
Members of the Syrian community in Istanbul hold up a banner of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as they celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad this week

Erdoğan’s Syria?

Cihan Tuğal — Though the balance of forces has shifted in Erdoğan’s favour for the time being, fantasies about a Turkish imperial restructuring of the region are unfounded.
Free Syria flag at protest

From Syria to Palestine, liberation comes from below

Joseph Daher explains why the Assad regime's toppling in Syria is important to liberation efforts across the region, especially for the Palestinian struggle.

Salih Muslim (Democratic Unity Party) on dialogue with HTS and Turkey, and Rojava’s example for a democratic and inclusive Syria

Salih Muslim reflects on Kurdish autonomy, Turkey’s role in Syria, and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s transitional government as pivotal elements shaping the country’s future and prospects for peace.
Syria refugees

Where is Syria headed?

Gilbert Achcar reflects on what has happened so far in Syria to try to foresee what the future may hold.
Syria's political earthquake

Syria’s political earthquake

As Syria’s map takes on new colours, Sarah Glynn looks at an extraordinary week of events and at the aims of the different actors, especially focussing on the evolution and nature of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham.
Syrian refugees flee Aleppo

After Aleppo, what will happen to the Kurds of northwest Syria? (Plus statements from Kurdish and Syrian organisations)

Paul Iddon writes that with thousands having fled the rebel offensive in Aleppo, Syrian Kurds fear for their future. Plus statements from the Syrian Democratic Forces, Syrian Democratic Council, Women’s Protection Units, Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union and Kurdistan National Congress.
Free Syria flag

Gilbert Achcar: What is happening in Syria? (Plus Leila al-Shami: ‘Our dream of an Assad-free Syria has returned with Aleppo rebel advance’)

Gilbert Achcar writes that after having remained relatively static for a few years, Syria has turned anew into a theatre of war. But while the future is murky at best, Leila al-Shami says Syrians can hope again.
Member of the Knesset Aida Touma-Sliman chairs a Status of Women and Gender Equality Committee meeting, 17 November 2017.

Israel is hurtling into the political abyss

Aida Touma-Sliman explains how the war in Gaza is fuelling a far-right surge across Israel.