[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
Noam Chomsky | Emerging World Order and the Arab Spring Professor Chomsky’s lecture at the American University of Cairo.
NATO dilemma: Turkey and Article 5 Riccardo Dugulin says Turkey has no interest in entering into a military conflict with Syria.
The Dilemma in Syria From Annan to Brahimi: Security Solution Comes First Nicolas Nassif on Lakhdar Brahimi’s visit to Lebanon- two days before the bombing in Ashrafiyeh- when officials allegedly relayed their position on Syria.
After MoJo Investigation, US Company Admits Its Technology Used in Syria Hamed Aleaziz on California`s Blue Coat Systems, whose technology helped the Syrian government crack down on dissidents.
Hezbollah Hedges Its Bets on Assad Giorgio Cafiero says Hezbollah`s ability to cooperate with another government in Damascus could make up for its current loss of legitimacy from some of its supporters.
Jordan seeks to curb flow of fighters to Syria
Syria will be a defining issue of the next US presidency Martin Chulov says the United States` response to Syria “will prove a defining chapter for US interests.”
Egypt’s Syrian refugees live on the edge Nada Moselha provides a glimpse into the lives of Syrian refugees in Egypt by following a Syrian family and a Syrian humanitarian worker.
Le Liban dans la tourmente syrienne Alain Gresh speculates about the car bombing that killed, among other people, Wissam al Hassan.
Who Was Wissam al-Hassan A portrait of the man in question.
Car Bomb in Beirut: Wissam Al-Hassan As’ad AbuKhalil says “Hassan was clearly coordinating help and assistance for the armed Syrian groups and he bragged to journalists about his support for the ‘Syrian revolution.’”
Imperialism and the Left
Rightists and Leftists Against the Revolution Ziad Majed argues that “the Syrian revolution until now does not have a sound political leadership or a media apparatus” to deal with “culturalistic doctrines” and the “disdain” of some “progressive ‘prominent’ writers.”
Syrian Narratives
Defected woman general trains Syria`s rebels Basma Atassi on Zubaida al-Meeki’s decision to leave the Syrian army.
Syria`s black market in housing adds to the nation`s turmoil Hassan Hassan on Syrian neighborhoods becoming reshaped by new illegal housing market practices.
An Introduction to Helen Zughaib`s "Stories My Father Told Me"
Voices from Syria’s Opposition Bassma Kodmani, Nicholas Noe and Yara Nseir discuss the evolution of the opposition and the developments in Syria.
Haytham Manna: Violence and Democratic Perspectives in Syria Haytham Manna deplores the violent and sectarian turn that the revolution took, warning that “never in the modern history of the region have we seen an example of democracy being built after such an escalation of violence.”
What is a Car Bomb? Maya Mikdashi writes: “A car bomb is not a car bomb. It is a spectacle.”
Uniting Syria Volker Perthes says “the Syrian opposition needs to establish an umbrella organization accepted by all, including the de facto civilian and military leaders who have emerged locally over the last year and a half.”
Syrian Opposition Driven Into Arms of Islamists An interview with Peter Harling from the International Crisis group.
The US Must Supply anti-Aircraft Missiles to the Syrian Opposition Joshua Landis changes his mind about an intervention in Syria, causing an uproar in some opposition circles.
Criticism Joshua Landis posts criticisms he received for his post, including messages from Nir Rosen and Kamal Haykal.
This Is Not a Revolution Hussein Agha and Robert Malley write: “Most Syrians fight neither to defend the regime nor to support the opposition. They are at the receiving end of this vicious confrontation, their wishes unnoticed, their voices unheard, their fates forgotten.”
Inside Syria
One Thing Syrians Agree On: Sense of Collective Loss Kayla M. complicates the sectarian discourse by voicing common concerns of Damascenes having different allegiances.
Brahimi `lost temper` with LCC when it rejected Assad talks and Syria ceasefire An interview with Rafif Joujeti.
Going Home, to Aleppo Jess Hills interviews a Syrian who explains why he is disillusioned with the FSA.
Qudsayya: Syrian Town Tries to Pick up the Pieces Marah Mashi on the civilians trying to build their lives after months of fighting between the opposition and the army.
On Syria’s Frontlines, Sniper Hunts Sniper Toby Muse observes a sniper’s workday in Aleppo.
Damascus vigilantes vow to defend turf Michael Peel on civilians taking up arms to defend their neighborhoods.
Art and Social Media
Syria--road to freedom Joseph Hamoud at TEDxCopenhagen 2012.
Syrian pop artist depicts suffering with `black comedy`
Syrian Activists Attack Assad Regime, With Puppets Kelly McEvers on the now famous Masasit Mati and their puppet plays called "Top Goon."
Culture in Defiance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art, and the Struggle for Freedom in Syria Prince Claus Fund Gallery releases this report on the role of art in the revolution.
Weary World A song composed by Dylan Connor for Syrians.
Listen to what the Syrian popular movement and revolutionaries have to say! A collection of banners that aim to complicate media conversations about sectarianism, jihadis, and imperialism.
Policy and Reports
Syria: Despite Denials, More Cluster Bomb Attacks says Human Rights Watch
Arabic:
حصيلة 4 أيام دمشقية محبطة للإبراهيمي
Mohammas Al-Balloot writes about the hardships facing Al-Ibrahimi in implementing his call for a cease-fire during Eid Al-Adha.
القراءتان الإختزاليتان للوضع السوري
Michael About Najm writes about the problems surrounding the two shortsighted readings and assessments of the situation in Syria.
روايات من يوميات الخطف السورية.. بين تأمين «لقمة العيش» و«الانتقام»
Tarek Al-Abed provides an account of the kidnappings that have become an everyday fear of Syrian families.
Michael Kilo writes about the irony in using the term "security regime" in order to describe the Asad regime type.
سوريا اليوم: نحنُ والموت جيران!
Mohammad Dahnoon writes about the normalization of death in Syria.
Nasri Assayegh also problematizes the normalization of the everyday death that is occurring in Syria and calls for a revitalization of humanitarian sentiments when talking about the struggles and brutality that Syrian citizens are facing.
Adel Bari Atwan writes in favour of a ceasefire agreement and criticizes the reluctance on the part of some members of the opposition to accept it.
Allam Ahmad writes about the shift in the path of the Syrian revolution that has led to the increase in the civilian death toll in the country.
Majed Hebbo writes about the need for a national reconciliation in Syria.
الموقف التركي بعد تغيير قواعد الاشتباك مع النظام السوري
Ali Husein Bakir investigates the Turkish stance on Syria.
حتى لا تضيع دار الكتب الوطنية في حلب
Shady Azzam writes about the destruction of national treasures in the country.
الصعود التركي والنفوذ الخليجي: علاقة عكسيّة
Mona Safwan analyzes the role of Turkey and the Gulf in the politics of the region.
ناشطات في حلب: بين الصعوبات الميدانية والتمييز
Rasha Rami writes about the struggle that women activists face in Syria today.
Ammar Dyoub writes about the fear of the Syrian revolutionary left.