Damascus University’s Political Science Faculty confronts its Baathist past
Damascus University’s Political Science Faculty confronts its Baathist past, as professors and students navigate de-Baathification, political divisions and the uncertain boundaries of academic freedom in post-Assad Syria.
The Libyan odyssey: For Syrians stranded in Libya, Assad’s fall has not ended their journey home
Thousands of Syrians remain stranded, detained or missing in Libya, as families search for loved ones and Damascus struggles to bring its citizens home after the fall of Assad
New archaeological finds in Afrin amid reports of looting and vandalism
Roman-era funerary stones and a 12-grave burial site discovered in Afrin offer glimpses into the region’s ancient past, as its archaeological heritage continues to face looting and destruction.
Ties of blood: The afterlife of Syria’s jihadist networks from Aleppo to Berlin
Ballout’s story reveals how Syria’s jihadist networks endure across generations, as Europe confronts their ideological legacy and Syria faces signs of renewed interest in Islamic State among disaffected youth.
Syria’s wells run dry, old grievances run deep
A water dispute outside Damascus is testing Syria’s new authorities as worsening shortages, competing local demands and grievances inherited from Assad-era governance collide in two neighboring towns.
Rushed justice won’t bury Syria’s past
Syria’s death sentences may satisfy a thirst for justice, but rushed verdicts cannot substitute for accountability, truth-telling and the long, difficult work of confronting the crimes of the Assad era.
The Plunder of Syria: Syria’s greatest archaeological losses came after IS
A new study reveals how Syria’s antiquities became a currency of war, as widespread looting devastated archaeological sites and the country now seeks to reclaim its heritage through reconstruction.
From Exile to Damascus: Our new chapter begins
Syria Direct is coming home. After years in exile in Amman and Berlin, it is returning to Syria and evolving into a multi-format media development organization built for the country's next chapter.
‘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.