New Internationalist – Betrayed again

Original Article by Vanessa Baird, New Internationalist, 22 June 2020 Almost exactly 100 years ago – 20 August 1920 to be precise – the victors of the First World War promised the Kurds a homeland. Within three years that pledge…

Erst die Soldaten, dann das Geld

Die Führung in Ankara baut systematisch ihre Kontrolle über Nordsyrien aus – die Kurden warnen vor türkischen „Annexionsplänen“ Original Article, by Thomas Seibert, on July 20 2020 Es ist ein klares Signal. Seit Monaten…

The Daily Beast – Inside the Sisterhood Springing Jihadis From Jail

Original article by Anne Speckhard, The Daily Beast, 24 May 2020. “Do you know any way to get me transferred to Camp al Hol?” asks an ISIS prisoner in a neighboring camp texting from one of the illicit phones passed around…

Al-Monitor – US, allies press Russia to allow UN aid to Syria from Iraq

Though the United States and allied countries are working to convince Russia to reopen a border crossing between Iraq and Syria to UN humanitarian aid, Moscow could not only refuse but block aid through other points. Russian soldiers stand…

Open Democracy – Rojava: statelessness in a time of pandemic

Lack of international recognition as a state has disastrous consequences on an area already suffering from war and displacement. Cleaning operations carried out by the municipality in Qamishlo, April 2020 | Courtesy…

US Commission on International Religious Freedoms – 2020 Annual Report: Turkey’s policy in Syria recommended as of particular concern

Original report KEY FINDINGS n 2019, religious freedom in Syria remained under serious threat, particularly amid the country’s ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The most notable positive development was the successful conclusion in March…

Human Rights Watch – Syria: Aid Restrictions Hinder Covid-19 Response

UN Should Reauthorize Assistance from Iraq; Damascus Should Allow Passage Original Article Published on Human Rights Watch, 28 April 2020 Health workers disinfect a street in the government-controlled city of Qamishli in…

Al-Monitor – Coronavirus, war prompts northeast Syrian schools to go online

The Kurdish-led government in northeast Syria is putting classes online and may continue to use the internet for education beyond the coronavirus. The Kurdish-led government in northeast Syria is putting classes online and may continue…

Novara Media – Coronavirus in Rojava: Facing a Pandemic Without a State

Original article by Thomas McClure, researcher at the RIC, in Novara Media, 04 May 2020 Across the world, states are coming under pressure for their response to the coronavirus crisis. Some fail to adequately protect their citizens,…

Novara Media – North and East Syria’s Political Experiment Continues Despite Its Challenges

Original article by Nina Steinhardt, RIC researcher, published on Novara Media, In October 2019, the invasion of north-eastern Syria by the Turkish army and proxy forces caught the attention of the world. Humanitarian organisations,…