[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 Negotiations: Surprising Hope After G-8 Summit? Steve Heydemann says Russia seems to have shifted its stance toward Syria.
Why Iran’s Gambit in Syria Might Not Pay David Shams argues that the inaccurate media depictions of Iran having the upper hand in Syria are “being fertilized by the machinations of interventionists and driven by the simple idea that “something must be done.”
Al-Assir and the Nusra Front Walid Choucair says people have overestimated the influence of Al-Assir.
Rouhani Considers New Approach to Syria Ali Hashem says Iran’s new president’s stance toward Syria does not differ much from the Iranian mainstream.
Turkey’s Refugee Crisis Semih Idiz says Turkey struggles to support Syrian refugees seeking refuge within its borders.
Jumblatt: Destruction of Homs Real-Estate Records Attempt to Alter City’s Identity The Lebanese politician made this statement as Homs is under heavy shelling for the second time, which is quickly altering the social landscape of the city.
Syria Narratives
A Turkish Hotel That Hosts All Syria’s Pains and Memories Amal Hanano meets Syrians staying in a busy hotel in the Turkish city of Reynali.
Half of Syria is Destroying Itself and the Other Half is Watching Arab Idol Phil Sands : “The brief moment of escape for Syrians viewers of Arab Idol has passed. Now, back to the war.”
Syrie: La Dynamique Citoyenne qu’Al-Assad ne Parvient Pas a Liquider Jean-Pierre Filiu says the peaceful civil resistance is still alive, despite a worsening situation that includes a second series of assault on Homs.
Damascus Residents Reject SNS in Favor of Islamic Committees Civilians and rebels allegedly work together in Damascus’ Moadamiya neighborhood, after they created an administrative group that will operate under the name the Islamic Justice Committee.
Friday 28 June: Tyranny is One, Whether in the Name of Religion or in the Name of Secularism Syria Freedom Forever reiterates its stance on the revolution.
Clearing Rubbish in Syria: A Life-Saving and Life-Threatening job An overlooked topic in this revolution, the lack of services has led to a public health crisis in Syria.
Weapons Are for War, Not for a Political Solution Ahmed Souaiaia argues that “the principled choice, now, as it was then, is to support the non-violent movement among the Syrian opposition groups.”
New Syrian Institution Helps US Deliver Humanitarian Aid Barbara Slavin says the Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) has 170 personnel, is headquartered in Turkey and has now opened an office in Jordan.
Syria: No Military Victory, No Political Solution? In this interview, Yezid Sayigh offers a discusses the potential for de-escalation of the conflict.
How the Syrian Revolution Was Beheaded Bassilios Zeino writes : “The absence of self-criticism, censure and immediate accountability, as well as the Syrian intellectuals and politicians’ betrayal of their historical role, are factors that have served to symbolically decapitate the Syrian revolution before truly being decapitated by the armed jihadist battalions.”
Syrian Regime is Still Hanging on top Key Idlib Roads Tareq al Abed traces the story of Idlib, which, although it has been portrayed as a rebel stronghold early on in the crisis, has some parts that remain highly accessible to the government.
The Economic Collapse of Syria Mohsin Khan and Faysal Itani argue that “while very little is known about precisely what shape the Syrian economy is in, available indicators point to a virtually complete collapse of output, trade, and finance.”
The Effect of the Conflict on Syrian Banking and Economy Andrew Cunningham provides an interesting economic perspective that goes beyond the usual, limited reporting on the depreciated currency and the Central Bank’s foreign exchange reserves.
The Growing Challenge to the Syrian Regime and the Syrian Uprising
Kurdish Developments
Statement by the Kurdish Youth Movement (TCK) About the Latest Events in the City of Amouda This group opposes the PYD, which it views as fomenting intra-conflicts.
A Statement Regarding the Acts of Violence Against the Kurdish Civilians Another statement by the Local Coordination Committees opposing violence against Kurdish activists and civilians.
Inside Syria
Syrian Kurdish Group Linked to PKK Kills Protesters A report from Amuda, from the PYD is trying to assert its control against different Kurdish factions and movements, which led to the killing of seven people last week.
Syria’s Assad Brags in the Wake of Morsi’s Fall Albert Aji and Barbara Surk report from Damascus.
Two Syrian Shrine Towns: World Apart Yet United in Battle Patrick J. McDonnell reports from two towns both fearing attacks from rebels.
The Boy Killed For an Off-Hand Remark About Muhammad Paul Wood reports from Aleppo on the rise of extremism in the city, following the establishment of Sharia courts.
Female Prisoners Conduct Hunger Strike in Adria Main Prison The Damascus Center for Human Rights, based in Washington D.C., announced that it would be opening three local offices for on-the-ground insights on instances of human rights violations.
Media Portrayals of the Conflict in Syria are Dangerously Inaccurate Patrick Cockburn, who has traveled to Syria in recent weeks, claims that the media has falsely reported on battles across the country.
Announcement by the Council of an alleged fatwa preventing women to wear provocative clothes and makeup in Aleppo.
Syria’s War of Tunnels Ali Hashem reports from al-Qusair.
Arts and Social Media
Talk to me, Mother! – Youssef Salem A Young Syrian records himself singing as the bombs are falling around him.
Nowhere People: The Refugees of Syria by Moises Saman A photo essay by Moises Saman
Video Game: Zaytoun, the Young Syrian-Palestinian Refugee “Through the obstacles Zaytoun faces, the choices he makes and the people he meets, the players of this videogame are meant to get an understanding of the background of both Palestine and Syria and the current situation of their people.”
The Syrian Revolution Creates Its Own Media A list of the various revolutionary outlets that have emerged since the beginning of the uprising.
Policy and Reports
Syria ER: Where They Conduct Operations on Kitchen Tables Dr. Elder, deputy director of operations at Doctors Without Borders, explains the logistical challenges of providing medical assistance in Syria.
ظاهرة أحمد الأسير
As`ad Abukhalil on Ahmad Al-Asir.
أمير الفراغ المذهب
Talal Salman on the recent "white coup" in Qatar and the handing over of the monarchy to the hands of King Hamad`s son Tamim.
الاستبداد والوعي الغائب!
Michel Kilo argues that the political intuition of the Syrian people is superior to the political conscious of the elite and the present active political parties.
سياسة النظام و تغييرات الخريطة السكانية
Friday 28 June: tyranny is one, whether in the name of religion or in the name of secularism; الجمعة ٢٨ حزيران: الاستبداد واحد، سواء باسم الدين أو باسم العلمانية
Syrian Bear - Yumal [we`re bored] - Song about Syria translated into English
Dr. Adel Ismail, the representative of the National Coordination Body in Russia, in an interview on Russia Today about the outlook of the organization on the current developments in the Syrian struggle.
مجلس التعاون المشرقي، ضروري و ممكن
بوتين الصلب لا تضحكه "ألعاب الخفة"
تأسيس حزب سياسي ذي مرجعية إسلامية في إسطنبول