Institute for the Study of War

Syria Update: The Fall of al-Qusayr

Jun 6, 2013 - Anonymous (not verified)

With the help of thousands of fighters from Hezbollah, Iran, and Iraq, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has achieved one of his most important military victories in the past two years by forcing the withdrawal of opposition forces from the town of al-Qusayr. Al-Qusayr now also cuts off access to cross-border weapons supplies to the rebels from Lebanon and provides an important staging ground for future efforts by the regime to retake the north and east.

BBC: What role should the US play in Syria?

May 29, 2013 - BBC - Anonymous

Source:

BBC

Date Published:

2013-05-29 00:00:00

BBC News talks with ISW analyst Elizabeth O'Bagy about American policy options in Syria.

Elizabeth O'Bagy in The National Interest: Syrian Peace and the Bosnia Precedent

May 24, 2013 - The National Interest - Anonymous

Source:

The National Interest

Date Published:

2013-05-24 00:00:00

ISW Analyst Elizabeth O'Bagy writes in The National Interest on parallels between the Syria and Bosnian conflicts.

Syria Update: Assad Targets Sunni along Syria’s Coast

May 10, 2013 - Anonymous (not verified)

Recent violence against Sunni communities in Syria’s coastal region raises new concern over sectarianism in Syria. It also suggests to some that Assad will move to form an Alawi state.

Iranian Strategy in Syria

The Islamic Republic of Iran has conducted an extensive, expensive, and integrated effort to keep President Bashar al-Assad in power as long as possible.

Syria Update: Implications of Chemical Weapon Use on U.S. Aid Decision

May 1, 2013 - Liam Durfee

On April 25, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel confirmed that the United States had evidence of chemical weapons use by the Syrian regime, albeit with “varying degrees of confidence”

The Smart and Right Thing in Syria

The United States must embrace the Syrian opposition fully in order to strengthen its moderate elements, convert the networks of opposition groups into a functioning hierarchy that can govern the country, and ensure that a moderate, representative state friendly to the United States emerges in the wake of Assad.

Syria Update: Regime Breaks Siege of Wadi al-Deif

Apr 18, 2013 - Jonathan Dupree

On April 14, 2013, regime forces broke the 6-month siege of the Wadi al-Deif and Hamidiya military compounds outside of Maarat al-Numan, putting the rebel opposition in the area on the defensive and reestablishing overland supply lines to the bases.

Syria Update: Jabhat Nusra Aligns with al-Qaeda

Apr 15, 2013 - Anonymous (not verified)

Jabhat Nusra officially pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri in a recent statement. Despite Jabhat Nusra's attempts to reaffirm their Syrian identity, the announcement will likely enhance existing fractures between Jabhat Nusra and other opposition groups.

Elizabeth O'Bagy on Issues Facing Syrian Refugees with PBSNewsHour

Apr 8, 2013 - Anonymous

At least 3 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes but remain within their war-torn country with no way to escape. Hari Sreenivasan reports on how these Syrians face squalid conditions and health issues, while the global aid community struggles to reach them.

Syria

Pages