Assad regime
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Turkish-Syrian relations
A menacing rapprochement
Any reconciliation between Turkey and Syria’s Assad regime would have disastrous consequences for many Syrians, explains Syria expert Kristin Helberg
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Turkey-Syria-Russia relations
Is Erdogan planning a deal with Assad?
There are signs of an imminent normalisation of relations between Turkey and Syria. This would allow Erdogan to score political points domestically before the upcoming elections in Turkey. It would also be opportune for Putin. By Ronald Meinardus
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Al-Hol camp in Syria
Bring extremists' children out — but leave mothers?
As Syrian camps housing families of Islamic State fighters get more dangerous, there are calls to bring children out, even if the mothers don't want to go. The idea of separating families is a controversial one. By Cathrin Schaer
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Middle East and North Africa
The next Arab Spring will come
Where are the measures to deal with the looming challenges facing the Arab world? In this commentary, Marwan Muasher warns that the region is in grave danger of falling behind when it comes to human development
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Syrian conflict's impact on international law
The future cost of normalising Assad
Recent efforts to rehabilitate Assad are setting a damaging precedent for accountability, just as the international community is expressing the need to hold Russia to account for similar human rights violations in Ukraine. By Burcu Ozcelik
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Istanbul's migrant culture
Turkey's megacity is no melting pot
Istanbulites take pride in being the world’s melting pot and its natural outcome: having a bustling abundance of international cuisine. Visiting restaurants opened by recent migrants is often, however, a step too far. Ayse Karabat reports
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FIFA Qatar 2022
Children in Syria's Idlib hold their own World Cup
More than 300 children in rebel-held northwest Syria kicked off their own football World Cup on Saturday, with organisers hoping to shine a light on communities battered by 11 years of war
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Russia and the Iranian drones
Israel's Ukraine dilemma?
Following Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv using Iranian drones, Ukraine once again asked Israel for military help. Israel, however, is seeking to maintain relations with both Ukraine and Russia. By Tania Kraemer
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Women in Syria
Syria’s increasingly female job market
As a consequence of the 11-year war, twice as many women are now in paid jobs in Syria as before. Their employment is driven by courage and the need to feed their families. By Jennifer Holleis and Omar Albam
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The war in Syria
Overshadowed, yet still a major issue
The Syrian conflict remains insoluble for the time being. Yet Europe could start managing it better. By reorganising humanitarian aid supplies, becoming more involved in the northeast and coordinating initiatives in the northwest, it could alleviate hardship, counter extremism and bring hope, writes Kristin Helberg
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Syria’s restive South
Making the Druze choose
A lot is happening in Syria’s Sweida Governorate – foreign intervention there is unprecedented both in terms of scale and number of actors – yet Damascus remains the dominant influence, writes Armenak Tokmajyan
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Documentary "The Other Side of the River
Women's liberation in a war zone
The documentary "The Other Side of the River" shows how women in the Kurdish regions of northern Syria fight for their rights under the most difficult conditions. By Aviva Freudmann