Answer loud and clear: Planet Syria calling The regime is well aware of the impact of fear, of death due to random bombardment, on the life style of Syrians in areas outside its control, where everyone is too preoccupied with minute-to-minute survival to think of the future. By Haid Haid
On its fourth anniversary: The revolution and the battle over narratives Syrians and their supporters who continue to cling to hope and believe in the justice of this revolution—that they still insist on calling a revolution— have other narratives which tell us that behind the map of warring fascist ideologies lies the truth that our country has never in its history done anything better than entering into this revolution. By Mohammed Al Attar
Forget Assad If you cannot overthrow the tyrant, co-operate with him – after four disastrous years in Syria this seems to be the conclusion the international community has arrived at. While back in 2011 Bashar al-Assad’s days appeared to be drawing to a close, a growing number of people are now suggesting to see him as part of the solution, as illustrated recently by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura in Vienna. By Bente Scheller
Can Assad be a partner in the fight against ISIS? “It must be now clear to western defence chiefs that there is only one credible fighting force on the ground capable of fighting ISIS and that is the Syrian military. The Syrians [i.e. the Syrian regime] have held all the aces up their sleeve…” Such proposals are commonplace in diplomatic circles, but what is new this time is that this view is no longer limited to Assad’s supporters and allies. By Haid Haid
On the Run in Their Own Country Less refugees are crossing Syria's borders. Not because the situation is improving - but because less people have the possibility to flee. And some are determined to stay, even if it means risking their life. On internally displaced persons in Syria. By Bente Scheller
Against the Currents Conmemoration of a terrible incident on the shore of the Queik river: Ahtletes in Aleppo remember the dead. By Bente Scheller
Assad’s Trap for the West Amid the general helplessness in the West, voices to approve a cooperation with Bashar al-Assad are becoming stronger. Whatever aspirations one may have for a cooperation with the regime, neither an end to the war nor safety will be gained through it. By Bente Scheller
Where the “Good Guys” get their motivation from There's little hope for an improvement of the Syrian situation. Nonetheless, there are civil society activists who are still working on non-violent resistance and democratic change. Sarah Schwahn conducted interviews with many of them to see what motivates them to continue. By Sarah Schwahn
The most important features of Lebanese policy towards the issue of Syrian refugees: From hiding its head in the sand to “soft power” Generally speaking, Lebanon takes a relaxed approach to problems, either denying they exist or playing them down, only to draw up policies once reality hits home and the problem has reached crisis point. By Nizar Saghieh and Ghida Frangieh
Antigone of Syria - Press Coverage “A rewriting of history, which is only ever told from the point of view of men.” (Mohamad Al Attar) "We were not born just to listen, just to obey, just to receive orders. We should be able to stand up for something in our lives." (Mona, actress) By only participating in the theatre workshop Antigone of Syria, Mona – and, together with her, twenty-four other refugee women from Syria – have already proven that they are very much able to stand up. Read the reports on the emancipative power of art, on theatre as a form of political rebellion, and heartbreaking stories of loss and courage in our press review on Antigone of Syria.