‘If Only’: A Young, Syrian Poet’s Searing Words
M. LYNX-QUALEY: A young Syrian poet writes about the horror that she has witnessed in her homeland.
Polio: The Latest Disaster to Befall Assad’s Syria
MICH CAFE: Prior to the civil war its prevalence in Syria was very low indeed but the conflict has seen a spike in polio in the country
“Thank You, Vladimir.” What Obama Should Say to Putin
JUAN COLE: By taking the words of John Kerry and quickly formulating a new policy on Syria Putin has saved Obama from a major political embarrassment
Ghost of Iraq Comes Back to Haunt US/UK Syria Plans
The heavy propaganda for an Iraq War waged by the Bush administration and the Blair government in 2002-2003 came back to haunt the Anglo-American alliance on Thursday when the British parliament voted 285 to 272 not to authorize a military strike on Syria.
JUAN COLE: The heavy propaganda for an Iraq War waged by Bush, Blair governments came back to haunt the alliance on Thursday when parliament voted not to authorize a military strike on Syria.
This Ramadan ‘A Miserable, Painful Time’ For Syrian Families
MICH CAFE: This is the third Ramadan where conflict has wracked Syria and it’s the toughest one yet for many families there
‘The Blood’ and ‘The Bang-Bang’: A Freelancer in Syria
FRANCESCA BORRI, TABSIR: The demands of the editors are depressingly obvious and there is little interest in explaining context.
‘The Devil’s Fire’: Syria’s Unique Blend of Pure Horror
STEVE ROYSTON: The situation in Syria is so desperate, so serious and so wide-ranging that it has the potential to affect every individual living in the region
‘Help Now’: Syrian Refugee Crisis ‘Unprecedented In Its Scope’
MICH CAFE: If Americans diverted the money they spent in a month on ice-cream to the UN Syrian refugee fund the target would be met.
Syria Is A Microcosm of All The Issues Facing Region
GREGORY HARMS, INFORMED COMMENT: The conflict in Syria contains all of the elements that have made the Middle East a bubbling pot for the last century
“We Win or Die”: Syrian Conflict Is a Matter of Existence
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: A new documentary examines both sides of the conflict through the eyes of its combatants. It’s a grim story.
Syrian Refugee And Family Receive Kindness of Strangers
MICH CAFE: It’s a touching story that has captured hearts around the world – the story of one woman and her family’s flight from Syria to Turkey
Syria’s ‘Florence Nightingales’: U.S Medics Go To Front
KIRAN ANSARI, CGNEWS: Tired of watching the horror unveil on television a group of American medics have decided to take direct action
Tangled: The CIA’s Confused Middle East Web
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has got itself into the confused position of fighting Sunni fighters in Iraq, but supporting some of them in Syria.
FRANCIS MATTHEW: The CIA is in the position of fighting Sunni fighters in Iraq, but supporting them in Syria.
Syria US Foreign Policy: Assad Seizing Opportunity
FRANCIS MATTHEW: The problem with this approach is that by going gently, it allows Al Assad to think that he might still win by fighting. And it also places a huge strain on the opposition not ready to fight a long war of attrition.
Zeinab and Iyad: Love Across the Syrian Divide
MICH CAFE: They met, fell in love and got married. A simple story but not so simple when you’re on two sides of a sectarian divide in the midst of a civil war
‘Charlie’ Had His ‘Angels’, Now Assad Has ‘Lionesses’
MICH CAFE: It seems to be a common theme among Arab dictators – recruiting women to front up the military in your regime.
Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not
JAMES M. DORSEY: This weekend’s Syrian victory over Iraq in a soccer match is being seized by the regime as ‘a great national achievement’.
Drowned in Blood: It’s Time to Lower the Flag
NEWS FROM SYRIA: There was a time not too long ago when it was a symbol of our unity and of hope. Not any more.
Syrian Opposition ‘Finally Gets Its Act Together’
NEWS FROM SYRIA: The discredited SNC has finally been subsumed by an organisation that has genuine potential to shape a new Syria
