Contributing to Saudi-owned Al-Hayat, Elias Harfoush writes that the U.S.’ recent change in tone toward the removal of Assad from power ignores important facts about the source of true terror in Syria and the regime’s manipulative strategy for survival
With the power balance in northern Syria looking as if it could tip the way of the Kurds, will Syria’s previously neglected community repeat the mistakes of Assad’s dominant minority experience, Eyed al-Jaafari asks in Lebanese Al-Modon
Coalition media office quotes HNC head as saying opposition will not accept any participation from Assad or his inner circle at any point during a transitional period in Syria
As key players look to fill the vacuum after the expected fall of ISIS’ capital of Raqqa, Al-Hayat columnist Ibrahim Hamidi breaks down the serpentine motivations behind the recent surge in international action on Syrian soil
Russian FM urges joint action from countries involved in the Syrian file, whether they were ‘invited to Syria by the legitimate government’ or not
As intense fighting continues in areas of the capital, a Russian daily newspaper rebukes the regime and backs opposition claims that government forces fled from battles and that Republican Guard units suffered heavy losses, website Alsouria Net reports
After an Israeli attack against an Iranian weapons shipment to Hezbollah in Syria, the writing is on the wall that Assad no longer commands respect anywhere as Russia and Iran try in vain to prop up a discredited regime
Head of government delegation calls the Astana talks a major achievement, as the issue of terrorism was resolved satisfactorily with the world acknowledging its existence in Syria
Jaafari, while highlighting the success of the third round of Astana talks, blames Turkey for the absence of the opposition delegation
Amid Russian-Iranian political rivalry over influence in Syria, more concrete competition in the sphere of economics surfaces as Damascus, in deference to Russian requests, delays implementation of strategic agreements with Tehran
Kurdish displays of multi-directional alliances with Russia, Iran and the U.S. come as no surprise, as all sides, united in curtailing Turkey’s influence in the region, contemplate the preservation of an Alawite state
As the results of Geneva talks divide the opposition delegation into parties of optimists and pessimists, the regime is swiftly extending its control, leaving little doubt that the revolution is nearing its end
The opposition delegation in Geneva thoroughly discussed the question of political transition with the U.N. special envoy, while reiterating commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms
Syrian lead opposition negotiator Nasr al-Hariri told reporters that the regime’s proposal for a national unity government during the political transition phase is not backed by any previous UN resolutions
De Mistura must try and unite the opposition delegations if the Geneva talks are to be successful, and any future solution will require UN member states to stop funding terrorism and collaborate with the Syrian government, writes Samer Dahi for loyalist Al-Watan
The Syrian Coalition demands that the UN deliver airdrops to besieged neighborhoods after aid convoy was attacked and looted by pro-regime militants
Syrian army evacuates 170 rebel fighters from Sarghaya as reconciliation deals continue in the Damascus countryside
The decline of Iran’s dominance is inevitable due to its diverging interests with Russia in Syria and the emergence of an American policy shift
The Trump administration’s opposition to the US-Iranian nuclear agreement is not shared by its allies among European countries and in the UN
Opposition is sticking to its position that Assad can have no role in the transition, saying “the heavy price paid by the Syrian people” would have been wasted if he remained in power
