How Syria's Assad is using aid access to hasten normalization - Al-Monitor

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

News Type: USIP in the News

The United States and its partners are closely watching negotiations between United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths and the Syrian government over continued aid access, weeks after Russia blocked the renewal of a near-decade-long humanitarian operation in northwest Syria. "We are prepared...

Global Policy

Why Jihad Azour could become Lebanon's next president - The National

Friday, June 9, 2023

News Type: USIP in the News

Lebanon's opposition camp has been infused with renewed optimism as Jihad Azour, a former finance minister and regional director at the International Monetary Fund, emerged as the favoured contender for the country's vacant presidency after months of political turmoil. Backed by key Christian parties and a coalition of independent MPs, Mr Azour's nomination strategically aims to thwart the...

Democracy & Governance

‘Conundrum’: How the US is dealing with Assad normalisation - Al Jazeera

Monday, May 22, 2023

News Type: USIP in the News

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is officially back in the Arab fold. After more than a dozen years of ostracism, he was warmly embraced by regional leaders at the Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this week. This once-unthinkable comeback creates a “conundrum” for the United States, which continues to...

Conflict Analysis & PreventionDemocracy & Governance

What does the Chinese-brokered Saudi-Iran deal mean for Syria? - Syria Direct

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

News Type: USIP in the News

Saudi diplomats visited the Iranian capital on Saturday to discuss the reopening of both countries’ embassies, taking the latest material step towards restoring relations under a tripartite agreement announced by Riyadh, Tehran and Beijing in March. Saudi Arabia and Iran, moving to mend ties after seven...

Global Policy

ISIS fighters and families under guard in Syria pose ‘problem from hell’ for US forces - Stars and Stripes

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

News Type: USIP in the News

The repatriation of Islamic State fighters, family members and refugees living in makeshift camps and prisons in Syria will take decades at its current pace, a quandary that U.S. military officials and analysts say adds to the risk of a militant resurgence. More than 50,000 people, mostly women and children from about 60 countries, are housed at a camp named al-Hol, which was described...

Conflict Analysis & PreventionFragility & Resilience