[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 Syrian Crisis in Jordan Matthew Hall provides an extensive report on the refugee situation, further exposing the debate on whether Syrians should be allowed to receive work permits or not.
Obama’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Syria Strategy Micah Zenko deplores the inability of the US government “to clearly articulate why America is deepening its involvement in this Middle East conflict, what U.S. interests are at stake in the civil war, and what strategic objective the United States hopes to achieve.”
Russia Reports Pull Out From Small Base in Syria All military personnel were allegedly withdrawn from Syria’s Tartous base.
Iran to Send 4000 Troops in Syria To Aid President Assad Forces in Syria Robert Fisk writes: “it is a sign of the changing historical template in the Middle East that within the framework of old Cold War rivalries between Washington and Moscow, Israel’s security has taken second place to the conflict in Syria.”
Bashar al-Assad’s Uncle Seels Paris Mansion for 70 million Euros Rifaat al-Assad sold this property estimated at 100 million Euros, allegedly fearing it would be seized by the police
The Syrian Supply Chain Justin Vela says “with extremists playing such a large role in Syria, more blowback can only be expected for Turkey -- and from multiple directions.”
Egypt Envoy: Lebanon’s Neutrality Paramount Kareem Shaheen explains Egypt’s most recent stance in the face of Hezbollah’s recent intervention in Syria.
Syria…New Moves on the Chessboard Nader Bakkar, a co-founder of al-Nour party, suggests that “Morsi’s Cairo Stadium speech" on June 21 was an attempt made by the Egyptian regime to respond to the recent shift in the bellicosity of the United States, at the same time as keeping its understanding intact with Moscow and Tehran.”
Lebanon, Hezbollah and al-Assir
Syrian Bus Passengers Stabbed in Beirut A dangerous turn in the Syria crisis.
The Many Assirs of Beirut Ghassan Saoud suggests the Tripoli and Saida conflict will inevitably reach Beirut.
From Tripoli to Saida, a Map of Lebanon’s Battlegrounds Following the recent battle in Saida, Nasser Charara says “certain conclusions can be drawn from these groups’ capabilities to withstand a sweeping military operation.”
Hizbullah and the Clashes in Sidon Asad AbuKhalil dismisses the Blanford and Prothero interview, suggesting that Hezbollah was not involved in Saida.
Lebanon’s Ahmad Al-Assir Phenomenon Asad AbuKhalil provides a grim outlook on the latest developments in Lebanon as they relate to Syria saying “the Assir movement may have run its course, but regardless of the outcome of the current showdown in Saida, it won’t go away.”
Nick Blanford and Mitch Prothero Respond to Queries About Hizbullah Involvement in Sidon Blanford and Prothero respond to those who were skeptical about what they had seen in Saida, through Qifa Nabki’s blog.
The Hamas-Hezbollah Split on the Syrian War Quassem Quassem suggests that the relationship is fragile, but that there remains coordination between the two.
Reconstruction in Syria: All Eyes on the Prize Following a conference entitled “Prospects and Opportunities for Postwar Growth in Lebanon and Syria,” Hassan Chakrani says that European countries rely on Lebanon’s ability to support their lucrative reconstruction projects in Syria.
Voices From Tripoli: For Syrian Child Workers, a Shift is Followed by Soccer Alison Tahmizian Meuse on the problem of child exploitation in this Lebanese city hosting Syrian refugees.
Syria Narratives
Syrian Neoliberal Advocates Go International Munir al-Hamash says “the economic team championed these measures with no regard to their catastrophic effects on Syrians with limited income and the manufacturing sector.”
Syrian National Currency Takes Plunge Nadeem Mohammed meets economists and analysts in Damascus, who share their thoughts on the causes and consequences of this economic situation.
Qadri Jamil Calls for Corruption Probe of Central Bank Governor
The Crowning of the Syrian Islamic Front Aaron Y. Zelin and Charles Lister on the war that exposes the rifts between Gulf rivals as well as various clerical factions outside Syria.
Hatla: Fabrication of a Massacre A piece challenging the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights’ coverage of an alleged massacre in this Syrian village.
Al-Aljazeera Interview with al-Islam Brigade Commander
Q+A: Mohammed Alaa Ghanem, Senior Political Adviser, Syrian American Council
Inside Syria
Syria’s Oilfields Create Surreal Battle Lines Amid Chaos and Tribal Loyalties Ghaith Abdul Ahad’s outstanding coverage of how tribes sell oil to both the regime and the rebels to protect their villages in Deir-Ezzor
Damascus Diary Lina Sinjab shares soundbytes of her life while living in Damascus and covering the crisis.
Behind the Battle Lines Six residents of Damascus tell the BBC about their experience of the current crisis.
My Harrowing Escape From Qusray, Part II Rifaie Tammas’ account of how he escaped Qusayr following the regime offensive this month.
Deepening Ethnic Rifts Reshape Syria’s Towns Alexander Dziabosz and Oliver Holmes report from northern Syria, where they note how sectarianism has transformed the social landscape of the cities there.
Syria’s Warring Sides Trade Wheat for Flour “Every week, the rebels deliver tens of thousands of tons of wheat to the mill in Idlib city. The government grinds it down, takes a cut, and sends it back.”
Syria’s Islamists Seize Control as Moderate Dither Oliver Holmes and Alexander Dziadosz report from Aleppo.
Syria to Jail Anyone Entering Country Illegally
Arts and Social Media
Syria Civil Society Conference A low profile conference held in Beirut this month, gathering activist advocating for the strengthening of civil society and the rebuilding of Syria independent from foreign interference.
We’re Coming to Slaughter You A satirical video in response to sectarian videos that emerged out of Syria over the last two years.
Une Radio Syrienne Independante Emet Depuis Paris Radio Rozana is an independent Syrian radio that will air from Paris, and that seeks to promote balanced coverage by giving a platform for civilians to express themselves.
Social Media Buzz: A Falling Pound, Social Media Shabiha Mohammed Sergie’s weekly social media buzz.
An Ingenious Plan: How the CIA Vets the Syrian Rebels Karl Sharro’s latest satire envisioning how the CIA recruits rebels to fight the Syrian regime.
The End of the Line: a Microbus Map of Damascus A nostalgic account on riding the microbus in Damascus, which “feels like joining a fleeting community.”
Bassel Shehadeh Foundation A new foundation that was set up in memory of the slain filmmaker
Policy and Reports
Syria’s Metastasizing Conflict International Crisis Group’s latest report
Syria’s Internally Displaced – ‘The World Has Forgotten Us’ Amnesty International reports from al-Atmeh refugee camp.
Syria’s Soaring Temperatures Threaten Syria Children’s Health UNICEF says there is a considerable lack of water and sanitation in Syria and the organization is short of 124 million dollars to remedy the problem.
Detention and Abuse of Female Activists Human Rights Watch provides an account of various cases having emerged since the uprising began.
DHS Announces Re-Designation and 18-Month Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Syria
Hizballah Cavalcade: Liwa’a Zulfiqar, The Birth of a New Shia Militia in Syria? A strategic analysis of an emerging faction in Syria.
Arabic
لا بد من جنيف و إن طال السفر
Nahla Asshhal critically asses the polarizing rhetoric and discussions on Syria while highlighting her reasoning behind the need for a Geneva 2.
عن احراجات الصراع السوري
منعطفات الحراك السوري المعارض
باتريوت لمن؟ قراءة النتفاضة السورية ضمن خريطة العالم الآن
تدهور سعر صرف الليرة السورية: قراءةمقارنة
نحو استراتيجية لحل الأزمة السورية: دور المجتمع المدني
حوار مع نعوم تشومسكي حول الثورة السورية
رياح الأزمة السورية الساخنة تقترب تدريجيا من منطقة الخليج
برنامج صدى المواطنة: لقاء مع د.ريم تركماني و د.محمدالسلمان
في الذكرى المئوية للمؤتمر العربي الأول: تساؤلات حول التاريخ و الذاكرة و المستقبل