[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to syria@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]
Inside Syria
Snapshots from Syrian cities on the fourth anniversary of the uprising
Syria Deeply asks Syrian citizens across the country how their lives and cities have changed during the war.
Warplanes Drop Chlorine Gas in Aleppo
Syrians claim that regime air raids fill Aleppo with chlorine gas.
The international community let the Syrian people down
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has claimed that Syria death toll as of March 15, 2015 adds up to 252,240.
Syrians mark Women's Day in Idlib cellar
Hadi al-Abdallah reports about an event in Idlib province that was organized by The local women's centre, Mazaya. In this event around 150 Syrian women honoured female leaders of the protest movement as part of the International Women Day commemoration.
FSA commander says decline due to deserters, lack of support
In this interview with Captain Abu Rahal, a former officer with the regime who defected at the beginning of the revolution and joined Al-Hijra ila Allah, a unit within the FSA operating in the north Latakia countryside. Abu Raha comments on the FSA's decline in control of territory.
Satellites capture how the lights have gone out in Syria
Ian Black writes about the ways in which bombings and huge numbers of people fleeing Syrian have cut night-time light levels by 83% since 2011.
War in Syria: how my life has changed
Mona Mahmood shares the perspectives of six Syrians from across the divide, from rebel officers to regime supporters.
After four years of war, depression plagues Syrians
Roueida Mabardi writes about Syrians suffering from mental disorders, which has increased by a quarter since 2011.
Regional and International Perspectives
US unsure whether bombing has hurt al-Qaida group in Syria
U.S. intelligence analysts unsure weather air raids/attacks have diminished the extremist groups completely or merely undermined their capabilities.
Kerry’s comments on Assad create uproar in the Middle East
Secretary of State John Kerry’s claims the U.S. must “negotiate in the end.”
The Islamic State is Losing, But No One Is Winning
Aron Lund discusses the Islamic State and the obvious pressures they are facing. Despite that, he argues that the Islamic state will not stop or disappear, but rather, will remain on the offensive.
France says Assad talks would be 'scandalous gift' to IS
“French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Monday rejected any role for President Bashar al-Assad in Syrian peace talks, saying it would be a "scandalous gift" to the Islamic State group.”
Nusra Denies Split From Al-Qaeda
Al-Nusra has denied any claims that the extremist group is breaking away from its Al-Qaeda alliance.
Syria's beleaguered opposition-in-exile is about to collapse
Isabel Hunter’s piece for the Global Post on Syria’s opposition-in-exile, and the continuous fighting and corruption Syria has been plagued by.
US does not want to see Syrian regime 'collapse': CIA
CIA Director John Brennan states that the U.S. fears chaotic collapse of Syria, and that President Bashar al-Assad’s regime would allow extremist takeover.
Win or lose Tikrit, Isis can only be defeated in Iraq by the Sunni
Hassan Hassan argues that the battle for the Iraqi city Tikrit is the first serious attempt to dislodge ISIS from a stronghold.
Statement from the Socialist Forum in Lebanon: Towards the victory of the #revolution in #Syria
The Arabic version of this article can be found here:
نحو انتصار الثورة في سوريا، ما العمل؟
The Socialist Forum in Lebanon issued a statement on the fourth anniversary of the Syrian Revolution emphasizing solidarity with the Syrian people and fighting racism facing refugees.
U.S. Has Taken In 335 Syrian Refugees Out of 3.8 Million
Bill Frelick criticizes that the U.S admitted only 335 Syrian refugees from January 2012 through December 2014.
What ISIS Really Wants
Graeme Wood answers, in this article, questions like where did ISIS come from, and what are its intentions? What is its strategy and how to stop it.
A long way from home: Syrians find unlikely refuge in Brazil
Jonathan Watts demonstrates that since 2013 Brazil has resettled more Syrian refugees than any other country in the region, and the ways in which Latin America can come as a culture shock after life in a war zone.
Turkey 'opens fire' at migrant boat carrying 300 men, women and children from Syria
Heather Saul reports that Turkey opened fire on a migrant ship carrying Syrian refugees and then detained 337 refugees who were discovered on a 59 metre-long cargo ship off Turkey's western coast.
‘Raising tomorrow’s mujahideen’: the horrific world of Isis’s child soldiers
Jessica Stern and JM Berger write about ISIS recruitment of children who have been filmed executing prisoners for Isis.
Policy and Reports
Battered but Unbowed, ISIS Is Still on Offensive
Though the Islamic State has been facing many military and financial pressures, the group remains expanding its ideological influence in the region.
Guardian Live: Syria four years on
Four years have passed since the beginning of the Syrian uprisings, a Guardian expert panel discusses what might happen next.
America Is Losing the War in Syria
Robert S.Ford offers what he describes as a "grand plan worth paying for" regarding the Syrian conflict.
Syria Alienation and Violence Impact of Syria Crisis Report 2014
This report from the Syrian Centre for Policy Research, supported by the U.N. Development Programme and the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East explore issues from life expectancy to education to the economy in Syria. For example, the study estimates a decline in life expectancy in Syria “from 75.9 years in 2010 to just 55.7 years in 2014."
Economy and Agriculture
Fuel Subsidy Policy and Popular Mobilization in Syria
“As economic conditions continue to deteriorate for Syrians in government-held territory, the regime risks popular backlash by abandoning its long-standing guarantee of cheap energy.”
U.N. Security Council members need to stop selling weapons fueling Syrian conflict: Oxfam
Conditions in Syria have worsened dramatically, and the need for humanitarian aid has become a necessity.
Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media
Daraya Before and After
Images showing the horrific transformation of the Syrian city, Daraya.
A bird's-eye view of war-torn Syria
A visual report on the destruction and transformation of Syria over the past four years.
Images of Syrian torture on display at UN: 'It is imperative we do not look away'
Raya Jalabi reports about graphic exhibition of photographs at the UN headquarters which shows the victims of atrocities carried out by the Syrian regime.
لاجئات سوريات ناجحات يعرضن منتوجاتهن بمعرض في لبنان
This video highlights an exhibition in Beirut for products that were made by Syrian refugee women.
فدوى سليمان في مراجعة نقدية للثورة السورية
In this video, Syrian activist Fadwa Soliman shares her critical review of the Syrian Revolution.
Arabic:
داعش : "خلافة بوك" بدل "فايسبوك"...
ISIS announces the launch of its new social media network "5elafbook" as an alternative to Facebook.
ديربي.. قصة أشهر شيبس في سورية
This article about Derby Potato Chips Company highlights some of the economic challenges that face industry in Aleppo.
«داعش» إذ يتغلغل في أفريقيا
Tariq Azizeh writes about the expansion of ISIS in west and north Africa and the African Union response to that.
الثائرات مغيبات عن صنع القرار: المشاركة السياسية للمرأة و وصولها إلى مراكز صنع القرار في بعض قوى المعارضة السورية منذ عام 2011
Lama Kanout writes about Syrian women political participation and their contribution and achievements within the Syrian opposition since 2011.
المرأة من الحلم بالحقوق إلى السبي
Ammar Daioub shares his perspective about the current situation of Syrian women and the challenges that face them.
في مخيم اليرموك تغريبة ثانية ولكنني حسمت قراري
Yafa writes about her lived experience inside Yarmouk Camp, which highlights an aspect of the reality of Palestinian women in Syria.
المرأة السورية من فقيه النظام ... إلى فقيه التطرف
Rola Rukaby shares her perspective about Syrian women's liberation at the economic, social, political and legal levels.
دولة «الحشد الشعبي» في مواجهة دولة «الخلافة»
Isam al Khafaji reflects on Iran and ISIS struggle for controlling Iraq.
المرأة السورية في الدراما الشامية
Rueda Canaan and Linda Bilal write about women's representations in Old Damascene Syrian drama.
أين أخفقت الثورة؟!
Mohamad Dibo explores four main issues where the Syrian Uprising has failed (structure of tyranny, Israel, sectarianism, and regional powers).