Syria Media Roundup (Oct 31, 2017)

Syria Media Roundup (Oct 31, 2017)

Syria Media Roundup (Oct 31, 2017)

By : Syria Page Media Roundup Editors

[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

Why We Decided to Stay in Damascus (19 October 2017) Many anti-regime activists remain living in Damascus realize. A fundamental difference between them and other activists who have fled the country is that they all see Syria in a vastly different place from where it was seven years ago.

The Tragic Legacy of Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (21 October 2017) David Remnick talks with a member of the group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, whose underground citizen journalists  have documented life under ISIS rule. 

US-backed fighters take control of Syria’s largest oilfield (22 October 2017) Analysts questioned whether the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would be allowed to keep control of the country’s most lucrative oil field.

Syrian regime traps 400,000 civilians in east Ghouta  (23 October 2017) At least 400,000 civilians have been blockaded and trapped by the Syrian regime on eastern Ghouta region near the capital, Damascus, leaving them struggling with malnutrition.

Health Crisis Looms Over Eastern Ghouta (24 October 2017) Hasan Arfeh tackles the medical situation in Damascus’ Eastern Ghouta under the current suffocating siege.

5,600 'have returned home' from ISIL-held areas (24 October 2017) Thousands of foreign ISIL supporters have returned to their home countries after leaving Syria and Iraq over the past two years.

Exclusive: Death certificate offers clues on Russian casualties in Syria (27 October 2017) An official document seen by Reuters shows that at least 131 Russian citizens died in Syria in the first nine months of this year.

Inside Rukban Camp, One of Syria’s Most Desperate Settlements (27 October 2017) Rukban camp for internally displaced persons near the border with Jordan is rapidly deteriorating. International humanitarian groups are close to being overwhelmed, despite local NGOs and rebel groups trying to help out as well.

Convoy rolls into Damascus suburbs with aid for 40,000: U.N. (30 October 2017) A convoy from the United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent entered towns in the besieged Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta on Monday, bringing aid to 40,000 people for the first time since June 2016.

 

Regional and International Perspectives

Turkey gearing up to destroy Al-Qaeda's offshoot in Syria (12 October, 2017) Wresting control of Idlib province from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham would allow Turkey to effectively surround the Kurdish-held Afrin canton, writes Paul Iddon.

Saving America’s Syrian Ceasefire (20 October 2017) Sam Heller writes: "Whatever problems the south now faces in terms of a breakdown of law and order, they seem likely to explode if the salaries are abruptly cut off and thousands of armed rebels suddenly need to do their own fund-raising."

Trump says end of Islamic State 'caliphate is in sight' after Raqqa's fall (21 October 2017) US to back talks to end Syrian violence, allow refugees to return and effect political transition: Trump.

Kurdish fight for women's rights faces challenges in Syria (21 October 2017) Wladimir van Wilgenburg claims that in northern Syria, the Kurds are trying to implement women's rights, but this could prove difficult among the Arab population.

Why does Israel keep attacking Syria? (23 October 2017) Zena Tahhan writes "There have been almost routine attacks in the form of rocket fire - as well as assassinations and air raids carried out exclusively by Israel - that have intensified since the war in Syria began in 2011."

Who will pay for the reconstruction of Raqqa? (23 October 2017) James Denselow writes "Raqqa residents cannot yet think of returning because those responsible for destroying it do not seem that willing to foot the bill for its reconstruction."

NSA Document Says Saudi Prince Directly Ordered Coordinated Attack By Syrian Rebels On Damascus (24 October 2017) The NSA document shows "how deeply these foreign powers would become involved in parts of the armed uprising, even choosing specific operations for their local allies to carry out."

Russia vetoes extension of mission probing chemical weapons use in Syria (24 October 2017) Russia cast a veto at the United Nations Security Council preventing the renewal of the mandate for a mission that investigates the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

But what was so appealing about ISIS? (30 October 2017) What happened before, during and after the Tunisian revolution that made the Islamist morbid utopia seem possible and attractive?

Dark Victory in Raqqa (6 November 2017) Kurdish revolutionaries, including many women who joined  the Syrian Democratic Forces, helped the U.S. expel the Islamic State from its capital city.

 

Policy and Reports

Amid War, Women Are Starting to Make a Mark on Syrian Politics  (17 October 2017) The conflict in Syria has shifted traditional roles within communities and more women are starting to play roles in politics at all levels. But their overall influence remains minimal, leaving Syria’s destiny in the hands of men.

Syria: playing into their hands  (October 2017) In this study, David Keen explores how both the Syrian regime and international actors fuelled violence and fundamentalism in the Syrian war.

Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (21 October 2017) The Syrian refugees in Lebanon suffer because they have not been granted refugee status and therefore have no access to their fundamental rights.

1,100 children suffering malnutrition in Syria's Ghouta: UNICEF (23 October 2017) UNICEF says that more than 1,100 children are suffering from acute malnutrition in the besieged rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area.

Syria, the uprising and the media scene  (26 October 2017) The Syrian revolutionary process is a more thoroughly documented uprising than has ever been seen before in history, notably thanks to these democratic media.

Syria's Khan Sheikhoun chemical massacre: proof beyond doubt who is to blame (28 October, 2017) The UN confirmed this week widely-held suspicions that the Syrian regime carried out a chemical attack on an opposition village in Idlib province.

Statement of the Syrian non-governmental institutions on the situation in the eastern Ghouta (30 October, 2017) In this statement, the League of Syrian Network and over 36 other organizations express concerns about the humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta where around four hundred thousand people are suffering from a tight siege. 

Education in Syria Needs More Than Short-Term Solutions (30 October 2017) Kinana Qaddour writes "The importance of evolving how local communities and implementers interpret education needs to better reflect local dynamics is something that education stakeholders should prioritize sooner rather than later."

Syrian war: All you need to know about the Astana talks (30 October 2017) Representatives of the Syrian government and some armed opposition groups are meeting in the Kazakh capital, Astana, for talks aimed at implementing a lasting ceasefire agreement.

 

Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media

Agriculture and Food Sovereignty in Syria (4 October 2017) A multi-coloured bus is picking up children from the Zaizoun refugee camp in Daraa, southern Syria. This ‘bus of joy,’ also called ‘the olive bus,’ is a service set up by a local organisation named ‘olive branch.’ Olives are one of the most important agricultural products in Daraa, with 6.5 million trees farmed on close to 30,000 hectares.

Syria heroes The White Helmets win Good Housekeeping Women of the Year award (16 October 2017) The women of The White Helmets – a group of volunteers who work to save lives in war-torn Syria – were the recipients of the Good Housekeeping Women of the Year award at a ceremony in London recently.

Syrian journalist wins UK award for Aleppo hospital film (24 October, 2017) Syrian video journalist Waad al-Kateab was awarded with Britain's Rory Peck award for her coverage inside east Aleppo's last functioning hospital, al-Quds, in November 2016. 

Jihad Abdo: The movie star who fled Syria to deliver pizza in Hollywood (25 October, 2017) Jihad ('Jay') Abdo was once a prominent actor in the Arab world before he fled to America for a life of poverty - and a fledgling Hollywood career.

The fear and loathing of Syrian refugees in Lebanon (28 October, 2017) Over a million Syrians have fled to Lebanon since the war began but their reception has grown increasingly hostile. Ayman Mhanna, Kareem Chehayeb, Diana Moukalled, and Walid Abboud discuss this situation.

An emotional homecoming for Syrian hostages who escaped Islamic State (29 October, 2017) Twenty six Syrian hostages who escaped from their Islamic State captors receive an emotional homecoming in the central province of Homs.

Competing narratives: The fall of Raqqa (29 October, 2017) Bassam Haddad, Christa Salamandra, AbdAlaziz Alhamza, Omar Al Ghazzi, and Lina Khatib discuss how did international news media cover the capture of Raqqa from ISIL.

 

Maps

Mapped: The Last Islamic State Stronghold in Syria (4 October 2017) The Islamic State has retreated to a remote tribal region. Taking it back won’t be easy.

Mapped: ISIL's territorial loss in northern Iraq (18 October 2017) Since the fall of Mosul in July, ISIL has been losing territory in northern Iraq.

Syria: Who controls what? (29 October 2017) A map of the Syrian civil war that shows who controls what after years of fighting.

Syrian Army approaches Al-Qaeda stronghold in east Hama – map (30 October 2017) The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched an important offensive in the eastern countryside of the Hama Governorate early last week.

 

Arabic Links:

هل سيحصل أكراد سوريا على الفدراليّة في ظلّ الأسد؟ The Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum continues to make waves in Syria as the country's Kurds believe they can negotiate with the government about establishing a federal Syrian state. 

The English version of this article can be found here: Syrian Kurds focused on federalism 

التعمير بعد تدمير: كيف يستغل النظام دمار الممتلكات وتشريعات الأراضي Future potential donors should use any leverage they may have to undo as many as possible of the Syrian regime's policies, which transfer public assets to regime cronies, and ensure a fairer and more balanced reconstruction.

The English version of this article can be found here: Destruct to Reconstruct: How the Syrian Regime Capitalises on Property Destruction and Land Legislation

انتهى داعش .. أسئلة لا بد منها Mohamad Dibo discusses the end of ISIS and how combating terrorism became the top priority in Syria.

عامان يُمهّدان لاحتلال قد يمتد إلى نصف قرن This is an analysis of the direct Russian military intervention in Syria and its future.

أبو علي صالح.. اعتقال متكرّر The Syrian regime arrested again Abu Ali Saleh, a peaceful opposition activist who is known for his humanitarian efforts.

عوامل بقاء نظام الأسد حتى الآن في الحرب السورية: منظور تاريخي This study explores the historical and economic survival factors of the Assad regime.

جمعية لبنانية تدخل النور على حياة اللاجئين السوريين For the first time in three years, Haela and her four children can finally enjoy fresh air and some natural light in their small one-room apartment in Ouzaii, a sprawling slum area in the south of Lebanon’s capital Beirut.

The English version of this article can be found here: Eco-friendly renovation brings light to Syrians in Lebanon 

الجماعات المتمرّدة تدرس خياراتها في شرق سوريا Armed opposition groups from Syria's eastern province of Deir ez-Zor are working on how to retake their city from the Islamic State before the Syrian regime does without having to ally with the Kurdish forces.

The English version of this article can be found here: Rebel groups weigh options in Syria's east

سُم في الهواء الطلق This investigative report highlights the crisis of inhalation Damasus'  polluted  air which is increasingly contaminated with the waste of electric generators.

"التنمر الإلكتروني" في أوساط السوريين: فهم خاطئ أم أسلوب حياة؟ Farah Youssef discusses the hostile online environment on Syrian social media and what she calls “photoshop crimes.” 

كيف مهّد الجيش السوريّ طريقه إلى الرقّة؟ The Syrian regime army took control of Hama's eastern countryside from the Islamic State, which opened a road toward eastern Syria and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The English version of this article can be found here: How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa

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[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Arabian Peninsula Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to ap@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
 

Regional and International Relations

Less than 5 percent of Saudi Aramco to be sold The Saudi company currently produces upward of ten million barrels a day and will now be available for trade in the Saudi stock market.

Oman sets out new 20-year tourism plan As oil revenues drop, Oman places renewed interest in tourism efforts.

Emirati ballerina Alia Al Neyadi has big plans for the UAE’s cultural scene A mother-daughter ballet team takes the stage by storm in an upcoming ballet production.

UAE pledges $4B to boost Egypt’s economy The newest investments signal the United Arab Emirates’ continued support for Egypt’s current regime.

GCC reiterates commitment to narcotic control policy The countries also reiterated their need for a death penalty for drug smuggling, which, if revoked, may encourage operations.

A 30-year-old prince`s bold vision for Saudi Arabia Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s agenda may be seen as overly ambitious, but Saudi Arabia may need drastic new policies to overcome debt.

FIFA Panel to Monitor Labor Conditions at Qatar Stadiums The new decision would give FIFA a stake in the health and safety of World Cup construction workers in Qatar.

A Respite of Soccer for Qatar’s Laborers Day laborers and construction workers get their own piece of the football dream in their Workers Cup tournament.

Consultants flock to Saudi Arabia for ‘mother of all transformation projects’ Economic consultant companies rack up huge profits as Saudi Arabia announces its reform plan, one report reveals.

The Short Century at Sharjah Art Museum highlights events that shaped the Arab world in the 20th century An upcoming art exhibit looks at the historical context of Arab art after World War I and just before the first Gulf War.

2016 World Press Freedom Index Reporters without Borders released their yearly ranking of press freedoms around the world, with poor ratings across the GCC. 

KUWAIT BECOMES FIRST COUNTRY TO COLLECT DNA SAMPLES FROM ALL CITIZENS AND VISITORS: REPORT Kuwait will begin the process of DNA testing at airports possibly later this year, and will include residents already within the country.

Kuwait lost up to $200m during oil strike The three-day strike forced the country to operate at much lower levels of oil production, and has since returned to pre-strike levels.

US State Department approves $260 million missile sale to Qatar Qatar’s latest arms acquisition includes 254 new missiles, though another deal for aircraft still awaits approval.

No jail time for Villaggio fire defendants, Qatar judge rules The defendants will only have to pay blood money to the relatives of the nineteen who passed away in the fire. 

Facebook most popular stock among investors in UAE, rest of GCC Stock investors recently released results for the GCC’s popular stocks, which also included Apple and Halliburton.

The war of words over who does Saudi Arabia`s housework Debates over housework in Saudi Arabia drag on, revived by arguments against impoverished Saudi women doing the work.

Saudi Arabia, 9/11, and what we know about the secret papers that could ignite a diplomatic war An argument wages in Washington over the possible declassification of documents that could establish direct ties between Saudi Arabia and 9/11 events.

Saudi Arabia agrees plans to move away from oil profits An overview of key points from Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision plan.
 

Reports and Opinions

Moving away from oil Months of low oil prices offer a perfect opportunity for GCC countries to undertake massive reforms in everything from economics to migration.

Sponsorship system One Kuwaiti columnist examines the benefits and disadvantages of the sponsorship system on foreign employment.

Saudi Arabia: The devil we know Fareed Zakaria’s editorial for a continued US alliance with Saudi Arabia.

WATCH: Fareed Zakaria And Reza Aslan Discuss Saudi Arabia’s Influence On Terrorism A new talk show explores the lives of the 9/11 hijackers and their ties to Saudi Arabia. 

How Obama is Benefiting Iran by the US-GCC Summit? One analyst looks at why Obama needs to balance the diplomatic and economic power of Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Changing International Role Foreign policy experts discuss the nature of Saudi Arabia’s latest diplomatic endeavors.

Don’t Let Americans Sue Saudi Arabia A new congressional bill could threaten US relations with Saudi Arabia over 9/11 responsibilities.

Why Dubai Is a Perfect Setting for Grand Theft Auto A plea for Dubai to become the next location for a popular car-racing video game.
 

Crisis in Yemen 

As Saudis Continue Deadly Bombing of Yemen, Is Obama Trading Cluster Munitions for Riyadh`s Loyalty? One analyst questions American arms sales to Saudi Arabia and their deadly role in the war in Yemen.

AQAP Forced Out of Major Port City in Yemen A coalition of Saudi forces and Yemeni groups fought to push out AQAP from Mukalla.

Yemen Peace Effort Falters as Houthis Refuse to Attend Talks Initial days of Kuwait-held peace talks got off to a shaky start.

AL-QAEDA MILITANTS KILLED IN PUSH TO FREE YEMEN CITY 30 AQAP militants were killed in the latest attacks on Mukalla.

Canada should act quickly to provide aid for Yemen One researcher’s plea to provide humanitarian aid to Yemenis in their post-war recovery.

GCC, U.S. agree joint patrols to block Iran arms to Yemen: Zayani Iran denies sending weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Lawmakers launch bipartisan effort to restrict U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, citing war crimes in Yemen US congressmen speak out against US involvement in Saudi’s war in Yemen, and hope to pass legislation to prevent future arms sales.
 

Human Rights 

KSA calls on UN to stop politicizing human rights Saudi Arabia affirms the fact that the country already has measures to protect human rights violations, including mechanisms to prevent unlawful torture.

Saudi Arabia: Counter-terror court sentences human rights activist in relentless onslaught against civil society Amnesty International calls upon Saudi Arabia to release members of a human rights organization that fought for peaceful reform.

International Actors Still Do Not Hold Bahraini Government Accountable for Its Violations on Human Rights A factsheet on arrests and prison sentences of Bahraini citizens in 2015. 

U.S. prisoner in Bahrain says he has been freed via royal pardon The royal pardon also included the payment of a fee, in order for the dual citizen to be released from Bahraini police custody.

The Guggenheim Doesn’t Want Labor Activists Interfering With Its Luxurious Abu Dhabi Outpost Activists known as the Gulf Labor Coalition face routine suppression in the UAE, and calls for better labor policies at the Guggenheim’s new museum are largely ignored.

Arabic

انطلاق مفاوضات الكويت اليمنية: الفشل ليس خياراً!
تقرير عن بدء المفاوضات في الكويت بعد تأخير دام ثلاثة أيام.

اليمن: الحوثيون يشاركون في مباحثات السلام
وافق الحوثيون على الانضمام الى مباحثات السلام التي ترعاها الامم المتحدة في الكويت بعد تلقيهم ضمانات دولية بشأن وقف اطلاق النار. 

جولة واحدة في الكويت لا تكفي: درب المفاوضات طويل
لقمان عبدالله يؤكد ان مفاوضات الكويت ستكرس الهدنة بين الأطراف اليمنية وتعمل على مأسستها من خلال لجان اشراف دولي بينما سترحل القضايا الأساسية إلى جولات أخرى. 

المحادثات تسير ببطء: خلافٌ على الأولويات
الجلسة الثانية في مفاوضات الكويت تثبت وقف إطلاق النار الساري بينما لا تنبئ بتقريب يذكر في مواقف طرفي الصراع.

تركيا تجمّد أصول علي عبد الله صالح
أوردت الجريدة الرسمية التركية تجميد الاصول التي يملكها الرئيس اليمني السابق علي عبدالله صالح في تركيا، بموجب قرارات مجلس الامن الدولي. 

«البذخ» العسكري لم ينقذ السعودية في اليمن
تقرير عن تحقيق لوكالة “رويترز” عن الواقع السعودي الصعب في اليمن على الرغم من “البذخ” السعودي عبر صفقات التسلح. 

سيناريوهات للتراجع عن اتفاقية تيران وصنافير؟
مصادر مصرية تؤكد ل”الاخبار” ان الرئاسة تدرس سيناريوهات للتراجع عن اتفاقية ترسيم الحدود البحرية مع السعودية اذا تحرك الشارع المصري بصورة كبيرة.

مصر والسعودية: اتفاق مُجحٍف وشرعية تهتزّ
مصطفى اللباد يبحث تداعيات تنازل مصر عن جزيرتي تيران وصنافير للسعودية. 

بيان القمة الخليجية ـ الأميركية
لم يختلف بيان القمة الخليجية-الأميركية في الرياض عن مفردات القمة الإسلامية واحتلت إيران حيزاً كبيراً منه. 

أوباما يودِّع الخليجيين: عليكم بالإصلاح وكفى صراعاً مع إيران
الرئيس الأميركي سعى الى طمأنة دول الخليج وحثهم ضمنياً على المزيد من المشتريات للسلاح الأميركي.

هكذا تشتري «أرامكو» النفوذ لآل سعود
علي مراد يؤكد ان المال النفطي أنقذ الرياض كثيراً وخصوصاً العدوان الطويل على اليمن، إسقاط المحاكم الأميركية لدعاوى دفع الرياض تعويضات لعلائات صحايا هجمات ١١ ايلول، حماية أميركية مباشرة للنظام السعودي، وتصدير اسلحة أميركية متطورة إلى المملكة. 

السعودية وأوباما ولعنة «11 أيلول»
منير الخطيب يبحث زيارة أوباما للسعودية والصفحات السرية في تقرير اللجنة الخاصة بهجمات ١١ أيلول.

أوباما في الرياض: لا مصلحة لأحد في خوض نزاعٍ مع إيران
الرئيس الأميركي يتطرق الى العلاقة مع ايران خلال زيارته الى السعودية، موضحاً ان لا مصلحة لاي دولة في خوض صراع مع طهران. 

تركي الفيصل: لإعادة تقييم العلاقة مع واشنطن
آعتبر رئيس الاستخبارات السعودية السابق ان “الايام الخوالى” بين المملكة والولايات المتحدة انتهت إلى غير رجعة وانه يجب أن “يعاد تقييم” العلاقة بين البلدين. 

كارتر: واشنطن سرّعت وتيرة تعاونها العسكري مع الخليج
أعلن وزير الدفاع الأميركي ان بلاده سرعت منذ عام وتيرة تعاونها العسكري مع دول الخليج القلقة من التهديد الإيراني. 

مشروع قانون في الكونغرس يفرض قيوداً على تسليح السعودية
تقدم السيناتور الديموقراطي كريس مورفي والسيناتور الجمهوري راند بول بمشروع قانون يضع قيوداً على بيع صواريخ جو-أرض للسعودية.

زوجة رائف بدوي «تأمل» بعفو ملكي
أعلنت إنصاف حيدر، زوجة المدون السعودي رائف بدوي المسجون في السعودية منذ العام ٢٠١٢، انها ما زالت “تأمل” ان يعفو الملك سلمان عن زوجها.

أول قرض اجنبي للسعودية منذ 15 سنة
تعتزم السعودية اقتراض عشرة مليارات دولار من مصارف أجنبية لتغطية جانب من العجز في ماليتها العامة، جراء انخفاض اسعار النفط، في خطوة هي الاولى من نوعها منذ ١٥ سنة. 

الكويت: ضغوط تدفع عمال النفط إلى إنهاء إضرابهم
أنهى عمال النفط في الكويت إضرابهم، بعد ثلاثة أيام، بعد ان سارعت الحكومة إلى تحذيرهم من أنها لن تستجيب لأي مطالب تحت الضغظ.

الشيخ النمر في مرافعة الكرامة: حياتي ليست أهم من كرامتي
صحيفة “مرآة البحرين” ومركز “كيتوس” الثقافي يصدران كتاب الشيخ نمر النمر بعنوان “مرافعة كرامة.”

أيّ عُمرٍ بقيَ لقناة «الجزيرة»؟ 
محمد فارس جرادات يؤكد رحلة “الجزيرة” في الكهولة المبكرة بدأت منذ استقالة وضاح خنفر.