Syria

 Syria News Wire

“Damascus With Love”: Homage at a Painful Time

“Damascus With Love”: Homage at a Painful Time

NEWS FROM SYRIA: It’s been a depressing time in Syria recently, but a newly released movie set in Damascus certainly lifted my gloom, if only for a few hours.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

Arab Spring First Casualty in New Power Struggle

JAMES M. DORSEY: The people power movement has the most to lose and could find itself in the grinder as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran jockey for power.

 Ramzy Baroud

The American Threat to Syria’s Revolution

The American Threat to Syria’s Revolution

RAMZY BAROUD: The American ambassador to Syria has established an ‘up and at ’em’ reputation. But what is the bigger picture for the United States in Syria at the moment?

 Syria News Wire

Sectarianism: The ‘Elephant in the Room’ in Syria

Sectarianism: The ‘Elephant in the Room’ in Syria

NEWS FROM SYRIA: There have been a series of assassinations in Syria over the past week which have borne comparison with the sectarian vendettas that still beset neighbouring Iraq.

 Lucy Emmerson

Syria: Growing Pressure on Assad to Stand Down Falling on Deaf Ears

Syria: Growing Pressure on Assad to Stand Down Falling on Deaf Ears

LUCY EMMERSON: There are still more who believe that a regime which has killed in excess of 2,200 peaceful protesters in the past 6 months cannot stand

 Chris Keeler

Is Syria Set to Become ‘the new Libya’?

Is Syria Set to Become ‘the new Libya’?

CHRIS KEELER: Non-violent protest appears to be nearing its end in Syria and there are signs that groups are organising an armed resistance against the regime.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Leading Syrian Writers and Artists Under Attack

Leading Syrian Writers and Artists Under Attack

M. LYNX QUALEY: Whether it’s novelists, songwriters or cartoonists artists of all shades and description are subject to vicious and sustained attack

 The Ajnabi

Flash Mobs: The Changing Tactics of Syria’s Protesters

Flash Mobs: The Changing Tactics of Syria’s Protesters

THE AJNABI: With the sustained and brutal crackdown on opposition protests continuing, Syrian activists have had to adopt new tactics.

 James M. Dorsey

Damage limitation: China and Russia’s Options

Damage limitation: China and Russia’s Options

JAMES M. DORSEY: China and Russia could quietly establish relations with Syrian protesters if and when Mr. Assad is forced to relinquish power.

 cupofcardamom

‘Roll Up for Assad’s Magical Mystery Buses’

‘Roll Up for Assad’s Magical Mystery Buses’

CUPOFCARDAMOM: Buses are a common, unremarkable sight in virtually every city in the world but in Damascus recently they’ve become a signal of fear and impending violence.

 James M. Dorsey

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

JAMES M. DORSEY: Irrespective of his motives, King Abdullah has made a major contribution to the ending of the bloodletting in Syria.

 The Ajnabi

The Chants for Change Reach Loyalist Damascus

The Chants for Change Reach Loyalist Damascus

THE AJNABI: It’s a cry that’s familiar from viewing images of Tahrir Square, Yemen and Hama but it’s the first time I’ve heard it in a wealthy, Damascus suburb.

 Ramzy Baroud

The Shifting, Complex Narratives that are Syria

The Shifting, Complex Narratives that are Syria

RAMZY BAROUD: There is no simple linear reading of the events that have overwhelmed Syria in recent months. The country is deeply embroiled in so many vital, strategic regional issues.

 The Ajnabi

The Slightly Creepy Pro-Government Damascus Carnival – Colourful, And Forced

The Slightly Creepy Pro-Government Damascus Carnival – Colourful, And Forced

THE AJNABI: When I say encouraged, I mean it in the mukhabarat’s sense of the word. School children and government employees were bussed in…

 The Ajnabi

The First Harley of Summer? Expats Back in Damascus

The First Harley of Summer? Expats Back in Damascus

THE AJNABI: Dress codes are relaxed, rents are up and ‘the livin’ is easy’. It’s Summer-time in Damascus and despite the ongoing unrest expats are back.

 Crossroads Arabia

Soap Operas: The New Front on the ‘War on Syria’

Soap Operas: The New Front on the ‘War on Syria’

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Syrian soap operas have eclipsed Egyptian productions in popularity across the Arab world.

 James M. Dorsey

Arab Silence, West’s Symbolism, to Backfire in Syria

Arab Silence, West’s Symbolism, to Backfire in Syria

JAMES M. DORSEY: Western and Arab nations have more to gain from real engagement with Mr. Assad’s opponents than from symbolic gestures and silence.

 Syria News Wire

Whisper it – things might be changing in Syria. A bit.

Whisper it – things might be changing in Syria. A bit.

NEWS FROM SYRIA: Foreign journalists allowed in? Recognition that there is, actually, an opposition? Great, but old habits die hard in Damascus.

 Juan Cole

Assad Plays the ‘Palestinian Card’ – Again

Assad Plays the ‘Palestinian Card’ – Again

PAUL NOTAR, INFORMED COMMENT: He’s always been a skilful player of ‘the Palestinian Card’ but as the region changes his hold on that particular narrative is no longer exclusive.

 Syria News Wire

Two Months of Silence and Now This?

Two Months of Silence and Now This?

NEWS FROM SYRIA: Out with the jokes, out with the arrogant posture. In with nervousness, in with technical detail. It’s the ‘same old, same old’ – in a word ‘denial’.