[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 Perspective
Has Turkey Reached Dead End in Syria? Following the Cilvegozu bombing, Firdevs Robinson says “the perception of Turkey as a key power contributing to the radicalising of the conflict in Syria is growing.”
Turkey, Syria and the Dynamics of ‘Cold War Redux’ by Karabekir Akkoyunlu
Shopping for Option C in Syria Marc Lynch reiterates that arming the rebels in Syria is not a good idea.
Syria’s Strategic Stalemate Made Worse by US Inaction Tony Karon says “a rebel military victory does not even appear to be Washington`s preferred outcome.”
Elite Iranian General Assassinated Near Syria-Lebanon Border Saeed Kamali Dehghan on General Hassan Shateri’s assassination
SNC Cites Hezbollah Role in Syria Ali Hashem on Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria.
Facing Syria From an Israeli Bunker Andre Vltchek presents an interesting photo essay from the Golan Heights.
How Canada, Land of Correctness, Became the Latest Front in the Syrian Civil War Robert Fisk’s clumsy attempt at highligthing Syrian-Canadians’ divisions over the crisis in Syria.
Syrian Narratives
Les Moukhabarat Debarassent la Syrie d’un Dangereux Terroriste Ignace Leverrier remembers the economist and political dissident Omar Aziz, killed by the Syrian regime.
Omar Aziz: Rest in Power Budour Hassan remembers Omar Aziz saying “he was not a son of the Facebook generation, but at the age of 63, his enthusiasm, ambition, and swashbuckling energy were matched by none of the twenty-somethings on the scene.”
The Alawis BBC radio report makes dangerous assertions, including that Alawis “are likely to be the victims of the world`s next genocide.”
Who Just Started Arming Syria Rebels? Michael Weiss writes that “in one of the most strangely neglected stories in the two-year Syria conflict, beginning on January 1, four new weapon models began appearing in large quantities in Daraa province”
Deciphering the Jihadist Presence in Syria: An Analysis of Martyrdom Notices Aaron Y. Zelin offers a quantitative and qualitative study of the online announcements made by extremists
Syria’s Oil Crisis Mohammad Harfoush on the economic situation in Syria.
Syria’s Banks Brace for Worst as Civil War Batters Economy Hadeel al Sayegh on economic developments in Syria.
Breves Syriennes (3). Ni Bachar al Assad ni les jihadistes Ignace Leverrier on the many incidents opposing citizens and jihadists trying to take advantage of the power vaccum around Syria.
Lettres de Syrie (19) Ignace Leverrier publishes a February letter from Joumana Maarouf, a schoolteacher living through the crisis in Syria.
Counting the Dead in Syria Despite the challenges of coming up with numbers that reflect the reality, the author believes numbers are necessary.
What the Syrian Death Toll Really Tell Us Sharmine Narwani believes otherwise, claiming that “casualty counts during modern wars have become a highly politicised business”
Exclusive: The Final Hours of Imad Mughniyeh Al Akhbar claims to have pieced together the events that led to the assassination of this Hezbollah commander in Damascus.
The Hysteria Over Chemical Weapons in Syria Abdul Latiff-Heneidi says “stories claiming the possession and use of chemical weapons by the regime or the armed opposition are typically propagated […] to score cheap shots against another’s narrative, as opposed to out of actual concern for preserving Syrian lives or the pursuit of facts.”
Inside Syria
Brahimi Tries to Kick Start Talks Between Syrian Regime and Opposition Phil Sands, reporting from Damascus, writes that “Mr Brahimi has little credibility with both sides.”
Of Myths, Monsters and Gods in Modern Syria Rita from Syria on Bashar’s divine image among the Alawis.
In Syria, Old Damascus Now Quiet, Shrunken Core Rasha Elass says although the Old City did not witness violence like in the suburbs, the tension can be felt.
Syria in Ruins: Civilians Suffer as Military Stalemate Drags on Jonathan Steele has a similar account, saying “Damascus city centre may still be untouched by significant violence but the war has destroyed normal life throughout the city.”
On Patrol in Syria With Assad’s Most Diligent Enemies Rania Abouzeid spends time with local FSA fighters in Marshamsheh.
Resilient Damascus John Wreford, who has remained in the Old City, provides an overview of the new reality of living there.
Insight: Battle for Damascus: Frozen but Bloody Goran Tomasevic reports after one month on the frontlines in Syria.
For Civilian Leaders, Governing Aleppo is a Tall Order Mohammed Sergie on the Aleppo Transitional Revolutionary Council, a group of civilian opposition leaders trying to improve living conditions for people in Aleppo.
In a Small Corner of Syria, Rebels Attempt to Reconcile Jonathan Steele reports that rebels and army soldiers have agreed to stop shooting in Talkalakh, in the first stage of a reconciliation agreement led by Sheikh Habib.
Syria’s Baba Amr Devastated and Frozen in Time Sarkis Kassarjian reports from a devastated but quiet Homs.
What it’s Like Inside a Government Prison Tracey Shelton visits a government prison after it was taken over by armed fighters in Idlib.
Salamiyeh Bombings Strike the Heart of Syria’s Peaceful Revolt Omar Hossino on the bombing of this ‘Ismaili-majority’ city, a new expression that appears to have emerged out of the sectarian discourse of the uprising.
Arts and Social Media
Bassel Shehadeh- A Memory for Forgetfulness Posthumous work of slain filmmaker, using Mahmoud Darwish`s poem "Rihla lil Nissian."
Oxygene Kayani Web TV’s short film on one of the many underground revolutionary publications that emerged since the beginning of uprising.
The Guard House Another short film on a revolutionary publication in Kafranbel.
Revolutionary Banners Kayani Web TV’s short film on landmarks of the Syrian Revolution
Point Zero A short film on the destroyed Damascus Institute of Dance and its passionate dancers.
Yayya Hawwa, Voice of the Syrian Revolution
Social Media Buzz: Valentine’s Day Comes to Syria Mohammed Sergie’s weekly social media buzz
Raid on Syria Media Center: One Year on Yazan al-Saadi interviews Razan Ghazzawi to understand the legal and extrajudicial obstacles encountered by the members of the center in the last year.
Policy and Reports
Typhoid Breaks Out in Rebel-Held Eastern Syria: WHO It is estimated that 2,500 people were contaminated after drinking water from the Euphrates River.
Misery Beyond the War Zone: Life for Syrian Refugees and Displaced Populations in Lebanon A report by Doctors Without Borders
Conferences
Arabic
منطقة القلمون: مدن هادئة تواجه الحرب.. بالتعايش والصلاة
في ذكرى حبّ الأرض، نداء من شباب الجولان في الداخل فهل من مجيب؟
قتلوا «كلب المعرة»؟
استعصاء الحل السوري
اللعب بالقضايا
حيّ بابا عمرو المهجور: الحرب مرّت من هنا
حلب تنقسم بين صورتين.. وجبهتين: حكم الشريعة والسلاح يهدّد أبناء المدينة
ثورةٌ على الثورة
«الربيع العربي» والتعددية الطَّريدة
سوريا بين الموقع الجيوسياسي والتوظيف الإيديولوجي
"الطريق إلى الثورة: مجابهة العنف "بمثله
ثقب في غرفة نوم الثورة السورية
نحو استراتيجية تكامل ثقافي عربي ــ كردي
عن المجاهدين المصريين في سوريا…في آخر كلام