Syrian Civil Society Takes Root in Lebanon
By Malath al-Zoubi (Beirut, Lebanon) – Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are living in Lebanon today–refugees fleeing the armed conflict at home, activists who...
Social Media Monitor: Activists Refuse “Incitement” against Syrian Refugees in Egypt
During the recent events in Egypt that the led to the ousting of President Mohammad Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood opponents have accused Syrian refugees of...
A Discussion in Gaziantep about the Future of Syria
Piroz Perik Surour Sheikhmous, 33, a Syrian activist, has made a habit of stopping by the Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria...
The Syrian Coast Reacts to Al-Nusra Front’s Alliance with Al-Qaeda
Youssef Kanaan * Editor’s Note: Except for the name of the author, Ayman Suleiman, the rest of the names in this article have been...
Banning Bicycles on the Streets of Damascus
Damascenes don’t bike for sport or leisure, but primarily for transportation. During the past three years, the suffocating daily traffic on the streets of...
Alawite Families in Homs “Between the Fire of the Opposition and the Fire of the Regime”
Rahif Ghanem* Note: The editorial team changed some names to ensure interviewees’ security (Homs, Syria) – Hanan, 34, was drinking coffee over the melodies...
Activists: Arming the Syrian Opposition is a Card in the Hands of the Big Powers
Mariam Abdullah* (Damascus, Syria)- Since Ghayyath Matar was killed on September 6, 2011 after distributing flowers to soldiers, many Syrians who took to the...
Social Media Monitor: Syrians Divided Over Morsi’s Ousting
The ousting of Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi on Wednesday, July 3, caused divisions among Syrians. In an interview with the government-owned daily Al-Thawra, President...
Zabadani’s Trees Victims of Bombing and Siege
The City of Zabadani was once the most prolific producer of apples, pears, peaches, and cherries in Syria. At one time, Zabadani’s farmers exported...
Syrian Regime Takes Aim at Opposition Employees
Salem Nassif (Damascus, Syria) – The Syrian regime has retaliated against many public employees who support the opposition by dismissing them from their jobs...
Fear Still Rules Political Expression
Youssef Kanaan * Editor’s Note: With the exception of Dara Abdullah, all sources’ names have been changed at their request. (Damascus, Syria) – More...
“People’s Houses” Step in for Absent State in Qamishli
Bakhtiar Hassan * (Qamishli, Syria) – Mala Gel, which means “People’s House” in Kurdish, is the name for a civil society institution that spread...
Is the Revolution Imposing the Veil?
Mai, 28, works as a project management trainer from Damascus at a pro-opposition cultural organization in Eastern Ghouta. She does not walk on the...
Jarablos: From Syrian city to Islamic Emirate
Youssef Shaikho To an observer of Syrian affairs, the city of Jarablos in the governorate of Aleppo, seems to be among the most calm...
The Future of a Generation Hangs in the Balance as War Comes to Damascus
Editor’s Note: All names are pseudonyms At the Nahr Aisha checkpoint at the southern entrance to Damascus, 10-year-old Maher moves along the endless queue...
Dispatch from Unhappy Activists in Damascus: “We Need an Alternative to the National Coalition”
(Note: Many allegations that are made in this article are not backed up. The editors believe that putting these opinions into the public sphere...
