Idlib, The Grapes of Wrath
Women and children held in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) prisons? Where torture is allegedly widespread? The man who revealed this information suddenly disappeared at the end of June, apparently arrested for being too talkative. This case has reopened the debate on prison conditions and freedom of expression in Idlib Governorate. It is a situation HTS least expected: a political crisis.…
Lessons of the Bosnian and Syrian Wars
During the workshop on the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its lessons, held by the Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies on June 11, 2024, I reflected on the words of Professor Ahmet Alibašić from the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo and Professor Emir Hadžikadunić from the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology. Professor Alibašić…
Latest changes in the structure of the Syrian regime: motives and objectives
In 2024, the Syrian regime implemented several security, military, and partisan level changes. These changes occur within a shifting political landscape influenced by internal transformations in Syria and developments at regional and global levels. This assessment aims to evaluate these changes, understand their motives and effects on the Syrian regime, and examine the regime’s relations with its allies and the…
The Baath Party and Power in Syria: Correlation of Power and Destiny
The Baath Party’s role in Syria illustrates various connections between the party and state power. At times, this connection assumes the guise of ideological alignment, particularly evident in nationalist rhetoric and approaches to Arab issues like Palestine, pan-Arab unity, and national security concerns. Alternatively, the party may function as a direct instrument for bolstering the existing authority by investing in…
Israeli Raids on Syria: Controlled Escalation
The recent surge in military operations in Syria involving the United States and Iran coincided with an escalation by Israel. Israel intensified its actions by targeting several sites controlled by Iranian militias in Syria. The frequency and intensity of these bombings escalated over time, culminating in the deliberate targeting of senior leaders within the echelons of Iranian militias in key…
Iranian Escalation in Syria: Causes and Anticipated Scenarios
Recently, we observed an escalation by Iran against American forces in multiple locations, where Iranian agents from militias loyal to Tehran targeted several American bases with bombings. In response, the United States directly retaliated by targeting those militias. It is noteworthy that the Iranian escalation appears to be driven more by a desire to convey messages to the opposing party…
The Syrian-Jordanian Border: From Captagon to Weapons
Smuggling activities between Syria and Jordan have recently witnessed a notable increase. These operations, initially associated with the trafficking of drugs and Captagon, have expanded to include the illegal transportation of sophisticated light and medium weapons. On Monday, December 18, 2023, reports surfaced regarding air strikes launched by Jordan against drug smugglers. However, Jordan promptly refuted the claims, asserting that…
The Turkish Escalation in Northern Syria against the SDF and the Expected Scenario
The Syrian Jazira region, commonly referred to as east of the Euphrates in recent times, has become a focal point of contention. The area is currently under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an entity affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). It is worth noting that Turkey and the United States classify the PKK as a terrorist…