Syria | Hurst Publishers

A life on the surface

Faisal Devji argues that ISIS is best understood through an account of its superficiality, rather than through searching for any hidden depth.

Is Alawite Solidarity Finally Breaking?

Syria’s Alawites have long used ruthless pragmatism to survive. This same pragmatism, argues Leon Goldsmith, may soon lead them to disown President Assad.

The Peace Process that Never Was: Turkey and the PKK

The peace process between the PKK and Turkey was hamstrung from the start by political games and mistrust, making its recent collapse inevitable, argue Simon A. Waldman and Emre Caliskan.

Forget Assad

If you cannot overthrow the tyrant, co-operate with him. After four disastrous years in Syria this seems to be the conclusion the international community has arrived at.

Hizbullah and Syria: Quagmire or Political Opportunity?

Hizbullah’s armed involvement in the Syrian conflict since mid-2013 took a new twist this week with reports that Israeli warplanes had bombed targets in territory held by the Syrian government near Damascus on 7 December 2014

Why can’t we defeat ISIS?

Michael Gunter and Nahro Zagros explain the origins of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), how they have ruthlessly explored the weaknesses of the Syrian and Iraqi states, and why they are proving so difficult to challenge.

Understanding Kobane

Christopher Davidson looks beyond the headlines to ask: what are the broader implications of the attack on Kobane?

Turkey and the ‘Islamic State’

Turkey is notably reluctant to join a military campaign against ISIS. In fact, Ankara’s ambiguity towards the radical Islamist group has deep political as well as historical roots.

What is the Logic Behind Islamic State’s Media Strategy?

With no mainstream media channel through which to communicate, Islamic State uses extreme acts of violence in order to attract global attention online, writes Lina Khatib.