Selling and consuming liquor is still allowed. Therefore, prohibiting legal imports only bolsters the black market, putting consumers at risk, while the government misses out on tax revenue

Citizens were already peeved at the rising cost of petrol, but the government's reactive response also raises important questions about the point of parliament

دخل وزير الطاقة السوري محمد البشير مجلس الشعب في 20 سبتمبر/أيلول تحت ضغط استثنائي، جمع بين غضب الشارع ومساءلة البرلمان. فقد أشعل رفع أسعار الوقود احتجاجات واسعة في مناطق عدة، فيما طالب أكثر من خمسين ن...

Sarmada was not an unforeseeable tragedy. It was the latest in a series of deadly warnings that should already have pushed Syria's transitional authorities to act

Assala's concert, if it goes ahead, would be an important sign that the government can resist conservative pressure campaigns, but it is not a long-term solution

لم تصعد أصالة نصري بعد إلى خشبة المسرح في دمشق، لكن حفلتها المقررة في 17 سبتمبر/أيلول بدأت بالفعل تختبر حدود المشهد الثقافي الذي يتشكل في سوريا بعد الأسد. فقد أثارت عودة المغنية السورية احتفاء رسميا و...

Assala's concert, if it goes ahead, would be an important sign that the government can resist conservative pressure campaigns, but it is not a long-term solution

The transitional authorities have created genuine anti-corruption momentum. The challenge is to convert it into transparent procedures, independent oversight, and meaningful checks on executive power.

The transitional authorities have created genuine anti-corruption momentum. The challenge is to convert it into transparent procedures, independent oversight, and meaningful checks on executive power.

US-sponsored diplomacy is better equipped to contain the fallout from Israeli strikes than to deliver lasting security

كان الاجتماع السوري-الإسرائيلي الرفيع المستوى الذي عقد الأحد في عمّان بوساطة أميركية محاولة عاجلة لاحتواء الأضرار. وقد جاء بعد أيام من الهجوم الإسرائيلي على قاعدة أبو الظهور الجوية، بهدف وقف أي عمليات...

US-sponsored diplomacy is better equipped to contain the fallout from Israeli strikes than to deliver lasting security

US-sponsored diplomacy is better equipped to contain the fallout from Israeli strikes than to deliver lasting security

Human rights organisations have reported nearly two dozen alleged deaths following torture in facilities run by the transitional authorities since December 2024

خطا مجلس الشعب السوري الجديد خطوة مهمة أخرى على طريق التحول إلى سلطة تشريعية فاعلة. فبعد خمسة أيام من المناقشات الداخلية، أقر المجلس مؤخرا لائحته الداخلية المؤلفة من 231 مادة.وتتضمن اللائحة كثيرا مما ...

The new bylaws are a good step forward, but can be exploited if parliamentary leadership uses its extensive powers to limit scrutiny of the executive branch

The new bylaws are a good step forward, but can be exploited if parliamentary leadership uses its extensive powers to limit scrutiny of the executive branch

Stability cannot depend on suppressing every institution capable of organising dissent

كشف الاعتداء على موكب محافظ الحسكة في رأس العين، في 22 يوليو/تموز، عن أزمة تتجاوز اضطرابا محليا عابرا. فقد اعترض محتجون الموكب ورشقوا مركباته بالحجارة لدى وصول المحافظ للمشاركة في إعادة افتتاح محطة مي...

Grievances in Syria's far north-east threaten to tear the region apart and ignite a fire that could spread much further. The central government can still get on top of this, but it must act fast

Damascus is having some success stopping weapons shipments from Iraq, but for reasons of geography, technology, history, money, and training, the authorities face an uphill battle

After months of anticipation, Syria’s transitional parliament has finally convened. Its first session, held on 12 July, came after President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the names of 70 lawmakers appo…

After months of anticipation, Syria’s transitional parliament has finally convened. Its first session, held on 12 July, came after President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the names of 70 lawmakers appo…

To read the full report, please click <a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07172650/ENGLISH-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In.pdf">here</a>

كشف اعتقال الناشط الإعلامي بكار حميدي في 12 يوليو/تموز، وما تلاه من احتجاجات، عن واحدة من أكثر المعضلات حساسية في المرحلة الانتقالية السورية: كيف يمكن للدولة مواجهة التحريض الطائفي والعنف خارج القانون...

كشف اعتقال الناشط الإعلامي بكار حميدي في 12 يوليو/تموز، وما تلاه من احتجاجات، عن واحدة من أكثر المعضلات حساسية في المرحلة الانتقالية السورية: كيف يمكن للدولة مواجهة التحريض الطائفي والعنف خارج القانون...

<span>لقراءة الورقة كاملة، يرجى النقر </span><a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07185740/ARABIC-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In-1.pdf">هنا</a>

The detention of a social media activist committed to exposing the crimes of the Assad era shows how Damascus must demonstrate that accountability beats vigilante justice

To read the full report, please click <a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07172650/ENGLISH-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In.pdf">here</a>

To read the full report, please click <a href="https://d2uecu6cucl1lj.cloudfront.net/ari/2026/07/07172650/ENGLISH-2026-07-Rebuilding-Without-Buy-In.pdf">here</a>

Another 70 lawmakers have been picked by the president, creating a chamber of just over 200. Are these MPs pliable and subservient, or do they have teeth? That is now an important question for Syria

U.S. President Donald ​Trump has notified ‌Congress of his decision ​to ​rescind Syria’s designation as ⁠a ​State Sponsor of ​Terrorism, a senior U.S. administration ​official said ​on Wednesday.

Another 70 lawmakers have been picked by the president, creating a chamber of just over 200. Are these MPs pliable and subservient, or do they have teeth? That is now an important question for Syria

Recent strikes show how workers are beginning to use Syria's expanded civic space to make economic and social demands. The government should see this as a warning, but also an opportunity.

Recent strikes show how workers are beginning to use Syria's expanded civic space to make economic and social demands. The government should see this as a warning, but also an opportunity.

Last month's floods exposed gaps in coordination and governance. Addressing them now will determine whether the next rise in the river becomes a managed risk or another costly emergency.

Last month's floods exposed gaps in coordination and governance. Addressing them now will determine whether the next rise in the river becomes a managed risk or another costly emergency.

خلق سقوط نظام الأسد انفتاحا مدنيا نادرا لم تعرفه سوريا منذ عقود. فقد تجاوز سوريون خطا غير مرئي، وبدأوا يوجهون إلى شخصيات نافذة أسئلة محرجة، بالاسم وفي العلن، من دون ذلك الخوف الذي حكم الحياة العامة طو...

Syria has changed enough for citizens to challenge power in public, but not enough to guarantee protection when those they challenge reach for the law

Syria has changed enough for citizens to challenge power in public, but not enough to guarantee protection when those they challenge reach for the law

قد لا يكون صدور مرسوم رئاسي لمعالجة قضية اقتصادية أمرا غريبا في سوريا، قبل المرحلة الانتقالية أو بعدها. لكنه يبعث برسالة مقلقة

Sharaa's stepping in to fix policy failures outside the state's bureaucratic machinery looks to be an emerging pattern