Syria
Weak States, Big Dangers
Why does Israel so often seem to be pursuing tactics aimed at weakening states in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, Syria and now Iran? Israel might not have a consistent weak-state doctrine, but its actions give the appearance that it does — with far-reaching negative consequences.
Celebrating Liberation in Captivity
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime was the happiest day of Elizabeth Tsurkov’s life, though she had at the time been tortured and imprisoned for nearly two years on a militia base in Iraq.
The Accidental Revelations of a Russian Spy’s Memoir
A new Russian film fictionalizes the adventures of the spy-diplomat Gen. Alexander Zorin. Draft scripts and his memoir, “The Negotiator,” reveal — perhaps inadvertently — that Russian lies about its military operations in Syria were as central to its strategy as the munitions it fired.
The Syrians in European Limbo
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime brought euphoria to millions of Syrians in exile, but also created political and legal uncertainty. As some European states suspend asylum claims or discuss revoking refugee status, activists are campaigning for temporary return permits that would allow Syrians to reconnect without losing protection.
Pedaling Through the Fault Lines of Postwar Damascus
Every Friday, at dawn, 30 cyclists take to the streets of Damascus, riding through ruins and across the fault lines of a country emerging from 14 years of civil war. Among them are ex-rebels, former regime loyalists and foreigners drawn to the challenge of navigating Syria’s shattered landscape.
In Syria’s Fractured Landscape, Salamiyah Stands Apart
In the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, sectarian violence has flared across Syria. But Salamiyah, a city of 100,000 on the edge of the Syrian desert, has stood apart. Home to Ismailis, Sunnis and Alawites, it may be a model for reconciliation and pluralism in post-Assad Syria.
How AI Became the Far Right’s Newest Weapon Against Refugees
Across Europe, far-right parties are weaponizing generative AI to produce hyperbolic, Islamophobic and anti-refugee visuals that spread rapidly on social media, amplifying disinformation and fueling hostility.