We’re Listening to the Wrong Voices on Syria

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Aug 22, 2019 But antiwar veteran, Hawaii representative and presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard may suffer unrecoverable political damage for her stance. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

No Good Options for Syria’s Vanquished Rebels

ZEINA KARAM and BASSEM MROUE / The Associated Press Mar 28, 2018 The Army of Islam, one of Syria’s most powerful armed opposition groups, stands alone in eastern Ghouta, its fighters facing a stark choice: Surrender or die. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

‘Hell on Earth’: Syria Violence Rages Despite U.N. Cease-Fire Demand

BASSEM MROUE and JAMEY KEATEN / The Associated Press Feb 26, 2018 Syrian forces launch a ground offensive in rebel-held eastern Damascus, defying a Security Council resolution calling for a 30-day cessation of hostilities across the nation. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Fading Islamic State Lashes Out in Syria, Killing Hundreds of Civilians

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 24, 2017 In the face of advancing government forces, the Islamic State group in Syria is going back to its roots as a small terrorist organization. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Washington’s Supreme Hypocrisy on Chemical Weapons and Civilian Deaths

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Apr 6, 2017 The use of chemical weapons in Syria is an atrocity, but American politicians' outrage draws on myths of American exceptionalism and erosion of political memory . Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Russia Warns of Mideast Apocalypse if U.S. Attacks Bashar Assad’s Military in Syria

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 2, 2016 Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that a U.S. attack on the Syrian army “will lead to terrible, tectonic consequences not only on the territory of this country but also in the region on the whole.” Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

In a Massive Intelligence Error, the U.S. Kills 80 Syrian Troops, Helping Islamic State to Advance

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Sep 18, 2016 The United States Air Force hit a Syrian military installation in Deir al-Zor that it thought was held by Islamic State. But it turned out to be the Syrian Arab Army position at the Deir al-Zor military airport. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.S.-Allied Kurds Advance in Northeast Syria (Video)

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Aug 23, 2016 Clashes continued Sunday as Kurdish fighters drove the Syrian army from districts of the city of Hasaka. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

U.S. Jets Almost Tangle With Syrian MiGs, Which Bombed an Area With Embedded U.S. Troops

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Aug 22, 2016 A new round of fighting between Kurdish YPG fighters and the Syrian army could drag the United States into war. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Syrian Army on Collision Course With Kurds in Race to Raqqa (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jun 9, 2016 With Islamic State 'capital' as the prize, Russian-backed Syrian forces have vowed to put down the U.S.-backed YPG (People’s Protection Units). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Syrian Government Troops Enter Islamic State-Held Raqqa Province, Racing Against U.S. Allies

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jun 7, 2016 Syrian troops, aided by a Homs-based pro-government militia, the ‘Falcons of the Desert,’ and with Russian air support, entered Raqqa province from Hama for the first time in two years on Saturday. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

As the Syrian Army Advances East of Aleppo, Islamic State Strikes Back With Bombings That Kill 140

Juan Cole / Truthdig Feb 23, 2016 Islamic State is turning to car bombings because it is in danger of being demoted from caliphate to just a run-of-the-mill terrorist organization. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )