Assad’s Forces Close In on Aleppo for Decisive Battle
Reclaiming the city for the regime would go a long way toward stamping out Syria’s non-Islamic State opposition.
Syrian War
Russia Helps Assad Reconquer Syria’s Heartland
Russian airstrikes are enabling the regime to retake territory from Syria’s least fanatical rebels.
Syrian Rebels Evacuate Homs Under Deal with Assad
Remaining opposition fighters in what used to be Syria’s third largest city give up.
Why Did Turkey Shoot Down That Russian Jet?
Turkey may have been trying to prevent a unified front being formed to defeat the Islamic State.
Modest Proposal to End Syria’s Civil War, Destroy Islamic State
Ending both the Syrian War and the Islamic State will require cooperation unseen since 1945.
Iran Invited to Syria Talks for First Time
Arab and Western opponents of Bashar Assad recognize that his main ally can no longer be excluded.
Russia’s Syria Intervention Sign of Weakness, Not Strength
Russia can only afford to be “bold” in Syria because it has no other allies to care about.
Obama Challenges Notion Putin Bested Him in Syria
The American argues that Russia’s intervention in Syria is a sign of weakness, not strength.
No Good Options: Why America Dithers in Syria
So long as all parties in Syria are determined to destroy each other, America has little reason to get involved.
Russian Intervention Reveals Assad’s Wariness of Iran
Russia’s involvement means Syria no longer needs to rely exclusively on its more controlling ally.
What the Hell Is Putin Doing in Syria?
The presence of Russian troops in Syria will discourage other powers from invading.
Foreign Deployments Hint at Assad Survival Strategy
The Syrian leader’s protectors send forces to support his regime in the areas it still controls.
Russian Jets Ignore Islamists, Defend Alawite Homeland
Rather than attack the Islamic State, Russia bombs in defense of Bashar Assad’s homeland.
Let’s Not Fall into Assad’s and Putin’s Trap in Syria
Syria’s Bashar Assad is not a bulwark against fanaticism and war. He is the enabler of both.
Local Syrian Ceasefire Raises Specter of Ethnic Cleansing
A truce between Islamists and Bashar Assad’s allies involves population transfers in the north and south of Syria.