A monthly magazine on Syrian politics and society that cuts through the noise

Justice, Rights & Civil Society

Who fears the autonomous citizen?

The political struggle over Syria’s classrooms

The Syrian government has committed to turning schools into places where children not only learn maths and history, but also that they are entitled to human rights. How seriously educational reform is…

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Politics & Power
What Syrians really think
Lessons from 2,700 interviews about fear, disillusionment and public opinion after Assad
Local Dynamics
Palmyran wisdom
How one city is turning anger over Assad cronies into a local experiment in transitional justice
Local Dynamics
After the war
Syria’s Kurds and Turkmens are finding common cause in Damascus as they seek greater influence, representation and rights
Justice, Rights & Civil Society
Follow the money
Hassan Akkad’s arrest and Syria’s new red lines
July 2026 issue →
Issue 37

Opinion

Voices that sharpen Syria's public debate

Ahmad Omar

Syrian Psycho

A jinn hunter, a gambler and a devout scientist: a glimpse into Syria’s mental health crisis.

14. August 2026

Hussam Eddin Mohammad

Syria’s geography is its destiny

The Assads tried to isolate Syria from its natural neighbourhood. That project has failed. The new government is reconnecting the country with the Arab world and beyond but age-old dangers persist.

11. August 2026

Natacha Danon

Parliament is the pressure valve the government needs

As protests proliferate across Syria, an empowered parliament could provide an important off ramp for mounting grievances.

07. August 2026

Ahmad Omar

Will there be a Sunni Hezbollah?

As talk of Syrian intervention in Lebanon grows, perhaps Damascus should borrow a page from Tehran’s playbook.

05. August 2026

Mohamad Khir Alwazir

Syria needs a loyal opposition, not political guardians

A danger is taking shape in Syria: the emergence of a mentality that sees itself as the sole custodian of the revolution and the exclusive interpreter of its purpose.

03. August 2026

Mona Abboud

Let women govern the country for just 365 days

If Syria is already a minefield, why not let the women who survived it take the lead?

01. August 2026

Natacha Danon

Syria should not intervene in Lebanon. Here’s why

Intervening against Hezbollah would drag Syria into a bloody war while doing little to contain Israel.

29. July 2026

Ahmad Omar

Assad’s ghost still haunts Syria’s parliament

Assad is gone from the People’s Assembly, and so is the applause that accompanied him for decades. But some of the habits his rule created still linger in the language and rituals of politics. 

27. July 2026
More opinions

What (some) Syrians think

The June wave is out! Fresh findings from surveys conducted in Damascus, Rural Damascus, and Homs. Syria Poll examines how residents assess their living conditions, government performance, and recent political developments.

Read the June results
More surveys

Previous issues

  • June 2026

    Issue 36
  • May 2026

    Issue 35
  • April 2026

    Issue 34
  • March 2026

    Issue 33
  • February 2026

    Issue 32
View archive

About

Syria in Transition is a monthly magazine on Syrian politics, society, economics and culture. Produced by an experienced and diverse team of independent journalists, researchers, and linguists, it challenges lazy narratives, connects the dots, and stimulates debate on the issues that matter.

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