White earth: Soil salinization threatens farming in Raqqa’s Euphrates river basin
Soil salinization is a complex and expanding crisis in rural Raqqa, where fields are becoming unusable and farmers have limited means to respond.
‘We lost everything’: How Israeli herbicides destroyed Quneitra crops and pastures
Israeli aircraft sprayed large areas of Syria’s southern Quneitra province with herbicides at least three times in late January, killing crops, devastating farmers and damaging trees.
How olive oil exports exacerbate Syria’s water crisis
Even as Syria suffers an acute water crisis, thousands of cubic meters of groundwater are flowing into the global market in the form of olive oil, an export that represents both national pride and a silent depletion of resources.
Syrian Jews and allies seek a place in the country’s future, divided over Israel
As Syrian Jews and their allies in the diaspora work to reestablish ties and revive Syria’s ancient Jewish heritage, politics bubble beneath the surface. One thorny question—whether and how Israel fits into the picture—has opened a divide.
Denied for decades, Syria’s stateless Kurds edge towards recognition
As stateless Syrian Kurds begin applying for citizenship under a recent presidential decree, hopes of restoring long-denied rights are tempered by bureaucratic hurdles and past disappointments.
Why did Germany keep a report used to justify deportations to Syria a secret?
Germany kept a report used to justify post-Assad deportations to Syria confidential for nearly a year before quietly releasing it last week. It appears to contain inaccuracies.
‘Waiting for chaos’: IS adapts under pressure, betting on the failure of Syria’s transition
Harried by government security campaigns, IS appears unable to regain territorial control in Syria, instead working to maintain visibility through limited operations while betting on the failure of the country’s transition.
Outside the plan: Urban growth outpaces roads and services in Daraa
Driven by high property prices, Daraa residents are building homes beyond the planned boundaries of cities and towns, creating new neighborhoods without basic infrastructure and presenting already overstretched municipalities with a dilemma.
The living and the dead return home to Afrin
The living and the dead are coming home to Afrin as displaced families return with the remains of their loved ones, fulfilling a long-held wish to lay them to rest in their native soil.
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