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

Diplomacy

The logic behind the madness

Why Trump’s Middle East strategy is not new – and may even be working 

The US/Israel war on Iran is described by some as impulsive, chaotic, and even irrational: a war that the US has already lost. This view might generate clicks, but it overlooks the deeper logic shapin…

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Politics & Power
The Druze Supervillain
Attempts to securitise Suwayda are ill advised 
Economy, Aid & Reconstruction
Free the loaves
Syria’s bread economy could benefit from gradual market liberalisation 
Justice, Rights & Civil Society
Lessons in obedience
How Syria’s schools reproduced authoritarian rule beyond the classroom
Book Review
Romance and reality
A review of Robin Yassin-Kassab’s book ‘The Blood Between Us’
June 2026 issue →
Issue 36

Opinion

Voices that sharpen Syria's public debate

Mona Abboud

Who owns the right to handle the bitter truth?

The way the case of Rania al-Abbasi’s fate is handled concerns the whole country

04. June 2026

Hiba Ezzideen

Searching for Um Kamel

Why Syrians still adore a fictional woman played by a man

26. May 2026

Ahmad Omar

From O.J. Simpson to Atef Najib

The Assad era buried justice underground. The new regime prefers prime time

21. May 2026

Mona Abboud

Another day, another price hike

As fuel costs surge, Syrians find there is nothing left to cut but life itself

19. May 2026

Shivan Ibrahim

A sign in Kurdish is a threat to no one

The row over a courthouse sign in Hasakah exposes concerning stubbornness at a moment when Syria has yet to settle fundamental questions of bilingual administration and political inclusion.

15. May 2026

Hiba Ezzideen

What if women ruled Syria?

Different social experiences can produce different political priorities. Yet even women may end up reproducing authoritarianism when the system itself remains unchanged.

13. May 2026

Hussam Eddin Mohammad

The politics of sport in Sharaa’s Syria

The Syrian government is using sport to build legitimacy and a youthful image. That’s easier said than done in a deeply divided country. 

02. May 2026

Ahmad Omar

Ghassan Abboud and the search for recognition

In today’s Syria, everyone wants recognition. From billionaires to forgotten defectors and anonymous survivors, the struggle over who deserves honour for their participation in the revolution is getting increasingly public – and fractious.

30. April 2026
More opinions

What (some) Syrians think

The April 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 survey results
More surveys

Previous issues

  • May 2026

    Issue 35
  • April 2026

    Issue 34
  • March 2026

    Issue 33
  • February 2026

    Issue 32
  • January 2026

    Issue 31
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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