What Does the Octopus Predict for Syria?
SMN No. 6, July 28, 2010 The whole world has raved about the accurate predictions of Paul the Octopus regarding July’s World Cup matches...
Syrian Kurds protest against Turkish TV drama
SMN No. 6, July 23, 2010 A group of Kurds from Syria and elsewhere have launched a Facebook campaign to call on Arab satellite...
A Decade in Power, part 1: Playing a double-edged game. Syria’s International Relations under Bashar al-Assad.
It was a tough act to follow: Hafez al-Assad was known to be a savvy head of state. He was able to sustain good...
Facebook Helps Promote Social Solidarity
SMN No. 5, July 8, 2010 Unlike most Syrian Facebook groups that usually criticise social and political conditions or pledge their support to a...
A Decade in Power, part 4: Syrian Kurds – bolder, but still oppressed
As the largest ethnic minority in Syria, Kurds were hoping in 2000 that their political, social and cultural rights would be finally recognised under...
Heated Debate Over Niqab in Syria
SMN No. 6, July 22, 2010 The Syrian education ministry has decided to prevent Niqab-wearing women students from attending both public and private universities...
Young Netizens Against Military Service
SMN No. 5, July 13, 2010 Facebook has become a platform for young Syrians opposed to compulsory military service in their country. Every young...
Cyberactivists Hit Out at Arab Rulers
SMN No. 5, July 7, 2010 Hundreds of cyberactivists from various Arab countries are campaigning over the internet against what they call republics-cum-monarchies in...
A Decade in Power, part 3: In Grip of Poverty and Religion. Social trends under Bashar al-Assad
Under Bashar al-Assad, Syrian society has undergone significant change. In addition to Islam’s growing influence, there is a widened gulf between the classes. While...
Netizens to stop Deportation of Syrian Dissident
Social Media News No. 6, July 21, 2010 A new Facebook group has been set up to urge the Lebanese authorities not to deport...
Syria, A Decade of Bashar al-Assad’s rule
The dawn of the new millennium certainly ushered in a new era in Syria. The late Hafez al-Assad who had ruled the country ruthlessly...
Full-Face Veil Ban Sparks Online Debate
SMN No. 5, July 6, 2010 A recent government decision to sack 1200 school teachers for wearing a traditional veil that covers the face...
Blogger Laments Youth Emigration
SMN No. 6, July 25, 2010 A popular Syrian blog has raised in recent weeks the question of the growing trend of Syrian youth...
A Decade in Power, part 2: Still the “Kingdom of Silence”. Internal Politics under Bashar al-Assad
Ten years after Bashar al-Assad ascended to power, oppression might not be as violent as during the dark years of his father’s rule. People...
Website reports police crackdown on Syrian gays
SMN No. 5, July 9, 2010 A website specialising in gay issues in the Middle East reported recently that the authorities had stepped up...
Syrian Cyberactivists Turn to Graphic Art
SMN No. 5, July 2, 2010 On a castle wall in old Damascus are plastered two large photos of a former political activist. On...
