[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
Syria: The Failure of Our So-Called International Community Archbishop Desmond Tutu writes: “in the absence of a political solution, there is simply no excuse for the lack of concerted, neutral humanitarian efforts to reach the millions who are suffering everywhere in the country.”
Trapped: The Plight of Palestinian Refugees From Syria Alessandra Ram on Zaatri’s strict refugee policies, discriminating against Palestinian refugees.
A Dead-End Pursuit Not Worth Pursuing: Syria and the Question of Intervention Rana Khoury says “calls for intervention on the part of the opposition are evidence of a failing strategy that portends more violence and bloodshed; instead, the opposition should focus on achieving a democratic and just future.”
Moaz al-Khatib, Moderate Syrian Leader, Resigns, as Islamic Front and Nusra Move on Damascus Joshua Landis’ take on the latest developments that catapulted Ghassan Hitto as interim Prime Minister
Syrian Narratives
Resistance within Resistance Charles Tripp notes that the “emergence of dominant narratives within resistance movements, and the diminishing space allowed to those who might think of resistance differently and seek to act accordingly.”
Daughter of Syria’s Slain Cleric Speaks Out Sumayya al-Bouti says her father supported the regime “based on conviction”
On the Death of Sheikh al-Bouti Maysaloon says “the death of a man of his theological and intellectual calibre will be a great blow to Islam, and not just any Islam, but Levantine Islam.”
Blame the Regime for Killing a Cleric Who Backed Assad Hassan Hassan says the killing of al-Bouti might encourage those still on the fence to join the Syrian army.
Qui a Tue al-Bouti, Qui Est Responsible et Pourquoi Est-Il Mort? Ignace Leverrier also has doubts about the government’s narrative on al-Bouti’s death, especially since no picure of his body appeared in the media.
Syrian Regime Loses Last Credible Ally Among the Sunni Ulema Thomas Pierret provides an overview of al Bouti’s political and religious stances.
Syria is Our Business Too: Why Europe Must Take the Lead on Efforts to End Civil War Ulrich Speck says “Paris, London and Berlin must start a major diplomatic initiative, in coordination with Washington.”
A Great Example of How Not to Write About Chemical Weapons and Arms in Syria Brown Moses worries about the authenticity of some videos about chemical weapons use in Syria.
Syria’s Shiites Offer Different Picture of War Patrick McDonnell and Nabih Bulos collect the testimonies of some who were kidnapped or killed because suspected of having ties to the regime.
The Second Destruction: Syria and the Upcoming Reconstruction Nizar Ghanem says “the reconstruction of Syria raises the main question posed by political economy - that is, the dilemma between economic growth and distribution.”
Karl Sharro: A Human Flood From the Baath State Karl Sharro on the rural/urban divide and the dangers of depicting Syrian refugees as uncontrolled masses.
Just How Blind Are We In Syria Robert Baer says experts now mainly rely on data analytics, algorithms and social media to understand Syria, while they should go back to a more traditional system and observe the situation on the ground.
How the Syrian Opposition is Like Mean Girls David Kenner says “the most important figures form factions that engage in petty, backstabbing behavior over seemingly minor issues -- but what they`re really fighting over is power.”
Some Thoughts on Muaz al-Khatib’s Resignation Darth Nader says “Ghassan Hitto, who does not have the legitimacy that Khatib has, especially considering the fact that most Syrians had never even heard of him until he was elected, is a politically weak figure, which seems to suggest that he was not chosen based on merit or appeal on the ground”
Seizing the Day After Clare Lockhart outlines economic factors that will require attention in the reconstruction of Syria.
Translation of Muaz alKhatib Address to the Arab League on 03/26/13
Moaz al-Khatib’s Speech at the Arab Summit: March 26, 2013 Another translation of the opposition leader’s speech by Abu Jamajem
Inside Syria
How Islamist Rebels in Syria Are Ruling A Fallen Provincial Capital Rania Abouzeid on the new rules established by some groups including Jabhat al-Nusra in Al-Raqqa
Lettres De Syrie Joumana Maarouf’s letters in which she discusses her life in Damascus in the last month
Syria’s Decent: The Agony of Aleppo’s Children A disturbing film by Marcel Mettersiefen, on the lives of children who became nurses caring for victims of clashes between the regime and opposition fighters.
The Amazing Story of How a School in Syria Stays Open Tracey Shelton reports from Idlib.
Arts and Social Media
Art of Surviving A touching video on the resilience of a Syrian man who built various items (a toilet, a motorbike, a telephone) using pieces of missiles, bombs and machine guns.
The Most Important Thing: Syrian Refugees A photo essay by Brian Sokol
The Impact of the Arts of the Syria Revolution Elie Abdo says “what has emerged, down alleyways and cramped public squares, is a creativity unburdened by ideology, which treats national issues as a tool to obtain freedom and not self-contained and self-sufficient issues of identity.”
Ali Farzat is featured among the Time’s 100 most influential people of 2012
How Brown Moses Exposed Syrian Arms Trafficking From his Front Room A profile of the British man who has gained authority on the arms situation, mostly through social media.
Social Media Buzz: Cleric’s Death Unites Many Syrians in Condemnation Mohammed Sergie’s weekly social media buzz.
Policy and Reports
Reporters Without Borders Enemies of Internet Report Features Iran, Bahrain, and Syria
Arabic
الثورة و المدنية : في هندسة التغيير
Amer Mohsen argues that the current mainstream discourses that speak about the revolutions and the uprisings over the past two years have ignored the core issues at which these political actions aimed : power and wealth.
"ثوار" جدد: قالوا في النظام السوري [٢]
As`ad Abu Khalil exposes the contradictions of Lebanese officials who are today criticizing and calling for the end of the Assadist regime, after having in the past condoned and publicly supported that same regime.
أميركا في علاقة "حميمة" مع السلطة السورية
Salama Kayla counters the traditional anti-imperialists view about America`s so-called stance against the Assad regime and argues that the international dimension of the Syrian conflict is beyond reasoning that dates back to Cold-War theories.
سوريا في شرق أوسط على حدود الكارثة
Fayez Sarrah provides a pessimistic reading of the future of the region.
كابوس "الكيميائي" يتحقق في شوارع حلب: الغاز السام يحصد ٣١ قتيلا و ١١٠ جرحى
Tarek Al-Abed writes about the issue which the mainstream media has focused its attention on this past week: the possible use of chemical weapons in the north of Syria. He argues that there has been much unsettling evidence of the use of poisonous gasses in Aleppo.
الأسباب التي أدت إلى استقالة الخطيب في نظر ميشيل كيلو
Interview with Michel Kilo on the resignation of the former leader of the National Syrian Coalition Muath Al-Khatib.
كلمة معاذ الخطيب في مؤتمر القمة العربية بالدوحة
Muath Al-Khatib`s speech at the Arab Summet in Doha.
البوطي و الإسلام القديم و الثورة
Yasser Abdel Hadi Al-Zayat writes about the late Sheikh Mohamed Said Ramadan Al-Bouti - who was the Imam of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus - political Islam in Syria and the Syrian revolution.