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  • Syria
A sheep herder near the Rumaylan military site in northeastern Syria, January 8, 2025 AFP

Resource-rich yet underdeveloped, Syria’s northeast could pay dividends

The land between the Euphrates and Tigris yields oil, water, and wheat, to name but three, yet it has had no infrastructure investment for decades. As a result, it is unproductive. That could change.

Attiya Khalaf Al-Attiya 11, Feb 2025
Stacks of Syrian pound banknotes are piled on a currency trader's stall at a market in the city of Manbij, currently controlled by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, in the Aleppo province on January 4, 2025. Aaref WATAD / AFP

Sanctions relief alone won’t kickstart Syria's economy

Without a coordinated international effort to lift sanctions, Syria will struggle to secure foreign investment

Léa Eid 10, Feb 2025
Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa (R), and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, posing for a picture during their meeting in Damascus on January 29, 2025. Reuters

Down but not out: Russia adapts to new regional landscape

Despite the fall of its long-time ally in Syria, Russia isn't retreating; it is adjusting—leveraging military assets and transactional diplomacy to pursue its strategic interests across the region

Neil Quilliam and Alice Gower 09, Feb 2025
The Sipahis Regiment defends Palmyra, Syria Front, in June 1941 during World War II. Getty

The history of Syria's army: From inception to dissolution to reformation

A national army was formed in August 1945 from remnants of French Troupes Speciales. In December 2024, the army fell apart amid a lightning HTS-led offensive that toppled the regime.

Sami Moubayed 08, Feb 2025
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov posing for a picture during their meeting in Damascus on January 29, 2025. Reuters

Al-Sharaa's Russia balancing act

Syria's new interim president seems to be wavering between two choices: maintain ties with Moscow despite domestic and international opposition or sever ties and risk alienating a global power

Haid Haid 06, Feb 2025
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on February 4, 2025. OZAN KOSE / AFP

Damascus and Ankara discuss Syria’s key Kurdish question

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdoğan are both concerned about Kurdish separatism for slightly different reasons. What will they do about it?

Omer Onhon 06, Feb 2025
Alexandra España

Ahmed Sharaa: Closing ranks

One of his most pressing priorities as Syria's interim president will be to integrate its myriad armed military factions into a unified army

Al Majalla - London 04, Feb 2025
Axel Rangel Garcia

Will Syria's myriad militias unite under one national army?

Some are happy to do so, some may need coaxing, and others have completely ruled it out. Al Majalla gives an overview of the different armed factions and what they want.

Abbas Sharifa 04, Feb 2025
The most famous of the militias who fought in the American Revolution was the Minutemen, who played an important role in the initial years of the war effort against the British. Shutterstock

Militias in history: From ancient roots to modern might

HTS's recent overthrow of the Assad regime recalls the key role militias played throughout history—from Sudan's recent civil war all the way back to the American Revolution. Al Majalla explains.

Steve Hewitt 04, Feb 2025
Al Majalla

From Quwatli to Sharaa: The history of Syrian-Saudi relations

The visit of a Syrian president to Saudi Arabia in 1945 ushered in a new era in the region. Will the visit of Syria's new president on 2 February also be the start of a new chapter?

Sami Moubayed 03, Feb 2025
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Politics

Iran’s waning influence

27 June 2025

Our July issue features in-depth articles and expert analyses exploring the future of Iran's influence and the long-term reverberations for the region

Al Majalla - London
Lina Jaradat
Culture & Social Affairs

Gaza’s ‘death trap’ aid centres: a real-life Hunger Games

02 July 2025

Israel's commandeering of aid distribution in Gaza forces starving Palestinians to run the gauntlet at centres with biometric monitoring systems, armed security, and life-or-death hazards

Hala Al-Naji
People gather to celebrate after Lebanese parliament elects army chief Joseph Aoun as the new president, on January 9, 2025, in Al-Aaishiyah, Lebanon. Ramiz Dallah/Getty
Politics

Lebanon’s second chance at statehood

02 July 2025

The crippling of Hezbollah's dominance and the Assad regime's fall in Syria have created a narrow but historic opening for the Lebanese people

Paul Salem
Lina Jaradat
Business & Economy

Oman is quietly redefining its development model

29 June 2025

It is no longer the Gulf's quiet outlier but a country quietly setting a new standard for sustainable economic development in the region

Neil Quilliam
Lina Jaradat
Politics

How the Middle East can capitalise on Iran’s regional setback

02 July 2025

The US security umbrella will focus on Iran's direct threats, but regional states should deal with Tehran's residual proxy groups in the region

James Jeffrey

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OPINIONS

Between hope and doubt: the making of Syria’s new Parliament

Haid Haid
Haid Haid

Gen. Erik Kurilla: Trump's hardened fighter and strategic thinker

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin

Volker Perthes: fragmentation and stalemate awaits Sudan

Ibrahim Hamidi
Ibrahim Hamidi

Architects at Venice Biennale challenge Israel’s culture of erasure

Iain Akerman
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