Syria and the two headed monster

Silvia Veroli | October 11, 2013

Below is an English translation made by Silvia Veroli herself. The Italian original can be found here.

“In Syria we are now faced with a two-headed monster: the Assad regime and Al-Qaeda. Contrary to what many believe, the two more often cooperate than fight. Moderates are their common enemy. In order to understand this point, go to Google Earth, look up Raqqa City and zero in on it. You will find a big structure at the outskirt of the city, this is the governor’s palace, but it has been occupied by Al-Qaeda for months now, and this is common knowledge, but Assad’s air force has so far targeted hospitals, schools, and civilian neighborhood and never once did it target the palace. If AQ is Assad’s enemy why not target its positions? They are pretty known. But Assad needs AQ to fight moderate rebels and score points with the international community”. Continue reading “Syria and the two headed monster” →

Why nonviolence failed in Syria

NOW Lebanon | A longer version is available here.

Many people in Syria and across the world continue to wonder why the Syrian uprising took such a violent turn, despite the bravery and selflessness of so many of the early protest leaders. Indeed, the development seems to have come as a result of a sophisticated strategy implemented by the Assad regime from the outset. Understanding this strategy, rather than lamenting the situation, as so many nonviolence advocates and theoreticians continue to do, might help prevent its replication elsewhere. Continue reading “Why nonviolence failed in Syria” →

Syria 2013: Rise of the Warlords

Syrian Revolution Digest

Prepared for a briefing that took place in Washington on January 15, 2013.

MAP OF CONFLICT

The regime is continuing its policy of holding on to big cities and main roads while surrendering the surrounding countryside to rebels. However, it seems inevitable now that the regime might be forced to relinquish its control over the north and northeast soon, a process that could begin within the next 2 to 3 months. This move will include Aleppo City, and the provinces of Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and Hassakeh. Continue reading “Syria 2013: Rise of the Warlords” →

The Creation of An Unbridgeable Divide

openDemocracy | 24 January 2013

Syria’s civil war is now strongly characterised by militias identifying along sectarian lines. The growing divide between Sunnis and Alawites has profound implications for Syria, and the Middle East. Continue reading “The Creation of An Unbridgeable Divide” →