In the Syrian capital, women’s fixation on obtaining and maintaining ‘beauty’ has fostered a dangerous culture of cosmetic surgery, opposition outlet Enab Baladi writes
The country’s Alawite sect, which has been largely marginalized by Syria’s opposition, must be embraced in any future transitional stage if they are to reach the goals of the Geneva communique, writes Saleh Qallab for Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat
Loyalist Al-Thawra reports on the Syrian Foreign Ministry’s statement to the UN calling on the international community to end Turkish aggression after forces crossed into northern Syria
“The war brought out the worst in people,” says Safaa, who left her marriage after being subjected to cruelty by her ex-husband’s family. Facing the trying pressures of wartime, many Syrians have witnessed a break up of their closest relationships, Enab Baladi writes
Chief HNC negotiator slams UN envoy for suggesting he would take the role of choosing an opposition delegation to attend the upcoming Geneva talks if members failed to present a list by February 8, according to Coalition news center
Opposition website Enab Baladi says Syrian government threatening to imprison those who practice journalism without permission, in an apparent effort to crack-down on opposition journalists covering the regime
Syrian president calls business owners a “a source of pride” for continuing production during meeting to discuss the impacts of war on industrialists, loyalist Al-Baath reports
Syrian president tells Venezuela’s Maduro over the phone that the struggles the two countries are facing are the result of foreign attempts to weaken the two states, government media reports
Saudi-owned Al-Hayat details the recommendations inside the separate Kurdish and Russian draft constitutions, which call for greater autonomy for Kurds and a more decentralized government, while also acknowledging the multi-ethnic make-up of Syria’s demography
Loyalist newspaper Al-Watan explains Syrian political opposition figures invited to Russia’s capital Moscow for meetings after news emerged of Russian plans to impose a new constitution on the rebel delegation at Astana
Rebel representative denies opposition delegates agreed to consider Russia’s draft constitution, saying that three issues will determine whether the opposition will continue its participation in political process — these include consolidating the ceasefire, bringing in humanitarian aid and releasing prisoners, Alsouria Net writes
Ain al-Medina explains the reason Moscow sent non-Russian special forces to a foreign country as part of a special mission for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union
Loyalist outlet reports on protest outside parliament building where participants urged MPs to call on the international community to end the weeks-long obstruction of the capital’s water supply
Opposition spokesman announced the rebel delegation to Astana refused to address Moscow’s calls to review a new draft constitution, Zaman al-Wasl reports
The draft constitution has been prepared by Russian experts in order to speed up the political process
Russian senator overseeing committee on foreign affairs voices confidence in truce process as ceasefire gains popularity among armed opposition groups, Syrian government newspaper SANA reports
Facing discrimination, uncertainty and a lack of work, some Syrian youths are preferring to remain behind instead of migrating from the shores of Turkey to Europe, while others are weighing the cost of returning to Syria altogether, Al Gherbal writes
Syrian government’s head negotiator speaks to the press about the success of the talks in Kazakhstan’s capital, lauding the efforts of allies Russia and Iran in reaching an agreement to form a ceasefire monitor
Al Gherbal meets with entrepreneurs and residents from throughout Aleppo and its countryside who are looking to resuscitate the province’s famous industry sector in an effort to become self-sufficient and lead better lives
Opposition press Sada al-Sham describes a Syria whose middle class has disappeared and has allowed low-level traders, gangsters and petty criminals to thrive at the expense of a humiliated population
