‘Omar’: The First Wholly Palestinian Movie On Occupation
JONATHAN COOK: It is written by Palestinians, stars Palestinians and is funded entirely by Palestinian money. Welcome to ‘Omar’.
Forget the Debates: Let’s Just Play ‘Survivor’
DANIEL M. VARISCO: The format is stale, it’s all so controlled and choreographed that very little of substance will be revealed. So why bother?
Dead Tweets: Citizen Journalists Pay the Price
MICH CAFE: With traditional media officially locked out of Syria since the start of the revolution there in March 2011, citizen journalism has taken over the mantle, at a great cost.
The Battle for Aleppo
VIDEO: In the last few hours, Syrian state media said the military had retaken the area, killing dozens of rebel fighters. But the rebels deny this.
Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances
DAVID ROBERTS: Russia is unfazed about alienating swathes of the Middle East not to mention the majority of Syrians, believing in time their position can be reasserted
When Will West Have Its ‘Road to Damascus’ Moment?
DANIEL M. VARISCO: The only narrative seems to be ‘we can’t get involved in Syria because we’ll create another Iran’. There are alternative scenarios
No More ‘Jaw-Jaw’ on Syria: Action Needed
EMAN AL-NAFJAN: Syria seems to have captured the attention of the region’s religious leaders but still the international community just talks
Humour: A Potent Weapon Against Assad?
MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: There isn’t a lot to laugh about in Syria at the moment but try telling that to the Syrians themselves.
Syria: The Argument Against intervention
DAVID ROBERTS: Working out exactly what must be done is fiendishly difficult; anyone who says they have a solution is grossly underestimating the complexities.
The Signs Are Ominous for Assad: Even Russia is Wobbling Now
JUAN COLE: The departure of the Arab League delegation has led to an uptick in repression by the authorities. Will Assad’s friends now desert him.
Assad, the Arab League and More Death in Syria
SYRIA NEWS WIRE: The Arab League mission is close to collapse;physically attacked on the streets, verbally attacked by Assad. And the killing continues.
The Maths of Death: Assad Treads Fine Line
MICHAEL J. TOTTEN: Cool calculation lies behind Syria’s targetting of protesters. Too many dead and calls for foreign intervention grow.
The Dramatic ‘Volte-Face’ of Syria’s Bloggers
NEWS FROM SYRIA: The former Chairman of the Syria Computer Society, a certain Bashar Assad, had a lot of support from the blogosphere in his first decade. Not any more.
News Analysis: Assad Speaks to UK Media
President Assad has ended his purdah with the international media and conducted an interview with a UK newspaper. Let’s see what he had to say.
News Analysis: Arab League Gives Syria Heave-Ho
It’s crunch time for Syria at the Arab League and they’ve decided not to turn up to the Moroccan get-together. Hardly a major surprise.
Syrian Regime Looks to Soccer for Support
JAMES M. DORSEY: ‘Bread and circuses’ are what the Roman emperors offered the people. ‘Bullets and soccer’ are what the Syrian regime appear to be offering today.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
