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.]
Inside Syria
In Kobani, Islamic State takes a pounding, but holds on
As U.S. airstrikes in Kobani continue, the Islamic state has remained there, and its foes fear the fight will continue.
As Syria’s Revolution Sputters, a Chaotic Stalemate
"Nusra lets groups vetted by US keep appearance of independence in order to continue to receive American supplies."
German journalist returns from time with ISIS with chilling stories
Jürgen Todenhöfer discusses ISIS and their campaign after returning from a 10-day trip that the spent among the areas the group control in Syria and Iraq.
For young refugees from Syria, education equals hope
Dawn Chatty discusses educational opportunities for young Syrian refugees.
2014 Roundup and 2015 Predictions by Aron Lund
Aron Lund reviews most important developments in the political landscape regarding the Syrian conflict during 2014 and provides political and military predictions for 2015.
Scabies, lice ravaging Aleppo neighborhoods
Mohammed al-Khatieb reports about the emerging concerns among residents and medical staff in the rebel-held part of Aleppo due to the spread of skin diseases specially scabies and head lice.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
القمل والجرب يجتاحان حلب
Anti-ISIS Syria tribesmen among 2,000 ‘executed’
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that since June 2014, ISIS has executed around 2,000 people in Syria - half of them from an important Sunni tribe.
Syria to Discuss Russia Peace Plan Talks
The Syrian government announces its willingness to participate, next year, in “preliminary consultations” to be held in Russia in order to end the ongoing war.
Regional and International Perspectives
The EU shifting its strategy on Syria, Iraq and fighting ISIS
The EU has changed its position in Syria. The main focus is fighting terrorism and cooperating with Syrian security forces. “Political realism requires a change in behavior and approach and not insisting on Assad’s departure as a priority.”
US to accept thousands of Syrian refugees for resettlement
While the total Syrian refugee population increases to 3.3 million, U.S. increases the number of Syrian refugees allowed to resettle permanently.
Coping with displacement - Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Cathrine Thorleifsson discusses the current challenges that face Syrian refugees in their daily lives in Lebanon.
ISIS Offensives in Ramadi City and Al-Asad Airbase in Al-Anbar, Iraq
Jessica Lewis, Ahmed Ali, and Sinan Adnan discuss the contest for Ramadi, the capital city of Anbar province in western Iraq, and the political as well as military opportunities of controlling this city.
Policy and Reports
The Islamic State is failing at being a state
Observers claim that the Islamic State is not capable of providing adequate services or governing the city.
Ensuring quality education for young refugees from Syria (12–25 years): A mapping exercise
This report analyzes Syrian young refugee access to education and explores the educational needs and aspirations of young refugee in Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Northern Iraq.
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
ضمان التَّعليم النوعي للشباب المُهجرين من سوريا
Camps Without Water: Legal Report on the Cutting of Water to Yarmouk and Deraa Palestinian Refugee Camps in Syria
This legal report highlights the suffering of thousands of civilians in two camps (Yarmouk and Deraa Palestinian Refugee Camps in Syria) under siege in the wake of the cutting of their water supply, and provides four recommendations in this regard.
Syrian military and ISIS have been ‘ignoring’ each other on the battlefield
Matthew Henman discusses a strategy of the Islamic State and Assad’s security forces, which is based on ignoring each other while focusing on attacking more moderate opposition groups.
Economy and Agriculture
Syria liberalises its oil sector as its state weakens and regime cronies profit
The Syrian government has taken action to liberalize the oil sector in order to end the state of monopoly within Syria. Shortage of oil continues.
Syria`s war enters new year more fragmented than ever
Syria’s economic disaster has played a role in its rapid disintegration. A “political solution” is becoming harder to achieve.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
1st LT Nawaf Mustafa نواف المصطفى talking about the battle`s at Wadi Deif & Hamidiyah & withdrawal
Interview with Syrian soldier from battle of Wadi Deif, in which Nusra captured military SAA bases near Hama.
مجلس قيادة الثورة في سوريا
Mohammed el-Sayyed, political head of the Noureddine Zengi Brigades, talks about the Revolutionary Command Council`s role & background.
Arabic:
داعش» يستدرج «التحالف» إلى سورية... ويُعدل الأولويات
Ibrahim Hamidi provides overview of the developments of ISIS during 2014 and predicts that land forces will intervene in Syria against ISIS in 2015.
الأسد يغلق آخر منفذ للسفر إلى تركيا، وعشرات الشباب يُقتادون لمراكز التجنيد
Hossam Gabalawy reports that the Ministry of Transportation in Al-Assad`s government issued a new resolution that closes the last port travel from Syrian to Turkey and thus forcing many young men into conscription.
داعش والنظام يحاصران "مصاصة متّة"
This article shares the story of Masasit Mati, a young Syrian acting troupe, and the ways in which their non-violence activism through arts was negatively affected by both the Syrian regime and ISIS.
غارات التحالف في سوريا قتلت "أكثر من ألف مسلح" بتنظيم الدولة الإسلامية
This article shares information that was provided by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights about the losses that affected ISIS by the U.S.-led coalition air strikes.
مهندس ألماني بالزعتري: السوريون ينظمون حياتهم ليعيشوا بكرامة
Yara Wehbi interviews a German engineer who works on a new designing project for the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. The engineer shares his perspective about the nature of Syrian refugee lives inside the camp.
دولة خليجية تدفع واشنطن لقبول بقاء الأسد ضمن تسوية مع المعارضة
Hussin Abd Al-Hussin discusses settlement scenarios between Al-Assad regime and the Syrian opposition with regional support.
متى يرجع السوري؟
Ghassan Charbel shares the story of a Syrian refugee child Ahmad to raise broader questions about refugee return to Syria.
سوريون يردّون الجميل للبلد الذي منحهم اللجوء والأمل
This article shares the story of a Syrian refugee couple in Hungary and how they are rebuilding their lives.
19خريطة لسوريا برؤية فنانيها
This article reviews 19 Syrian maps that reflects the perspectives of various Syrian artists.
انزياح الدوافع في الصراع السوري
Rateb Sha`abo explores the political and psychological motives of the different Syrian conflict parties.
تنظيم الدولة الإسلامية أعدم نحو ألفي شخص في ستة أشهر
Syrian activists report that ISIS executed around 2000 persons inside Syria during last 6 months.
عبد الباري عطوان في عقل «داعش»
Samir Nassif reviews Abdel Bari Atwan`s new book about the rise and future of the Islamic State.
أطراف الصراع في سورية تدمّر آثارها... وتراثها
Ibrahim Hamidi discusses the destruction of Syrian archaeological sites by both the Syrian regime and the other armed groups.