The Syrian Observer – Independent Syrian News and Analysis in English

The Syrian Observer is a daily online news service that covers Syrian politics, civil society, and current events. The site translates stories from Syrian state media, opposition groups, activists, and civil society organisations into English, making them accessible to a global audience.

In addition to translated news, The Syrian Observer publishes original features, opinion articles, interviews, and blog posts. The platform also hosts a Who’s Who database, which introduces readers to the key figures shaping Syria’s political and social life.

Mission and Purpose

Our mission is simple: to help the world understand Syria better. We provide insights into the country’s civil society, political activities, popular uprising, and ongoing war. By comparing the narratives of different groups, we reveal how each side presents its story. In doing so, we aim to promote open debate and democratic values.

Who Reads The Syrian Observer

Our readers include journalists, researchers, diplomats, academics, policymakers, and think tanks. We also serve anyone interested in Syrian affairs, Middle East politics, and civil society movements.

Editorial Approach

We carefully choose stories based on two factors: the seriousness of the source and how clearly the article reflects the author’s political stance. News in times of war is often biased and subjective. For this reason, we do not verify each story in detail. Instead, we provide a broad range of perspectives without endorsing any single viewpoint.

Independence and Support

The Syrian Observer is independent, both editorially and politically. Our work is donor-funded. Current donors include the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Past supporters include International Media Support, a Danish media organisation.

The editorial team is led by Wael Sawah (Editor-in-Chief) and Jihad Yazigi (Publishing Director).