Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS met in Rome on Monday, June 28, 2021. Participants included US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. They issued a joint statement that reiterated their commitment to fight ISIS…Continue Reading
The report makes key recommendations to US officials, including a policy of “conditional engagement” toward Turkey and an increase in the US troop level from 1,500 to 2,000 troops in the region.Continue Reading
A survivor of torture and detention under the Turkish occupation of Syria, Ms. Zainab Ahmed, age 63, is bravely coming forward to discuss the explicit details of sexual assault, torture, murder, and other atrocities that she has witnessed. The stories of abuse she tells are difficult to hear.Continue Reading
“No one should fear violence, or persecution, for their beliefs. But today, this basic right is threatened in so many places around the world – including Iraq and Syria, Ethiopia, Burma, China, and Nigeria, just to name a few,” said Amb Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN.Continue Reading
A recently-retired US diplomat has said that “ethnic cleansing” has occurred under the Turkish occupation of North and East Syria. William Roebuck, former Deputy Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, made the comments in an interview last week.Continue Reading
Brownstein celebrated both Newroz and Akito with officials from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), and the local population in Hasakah, Syria.Continue Reading
Secretary Blinken gives first serious statement on Syria | UN Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield announces aid to Syria | Deputy Special Envoy celebrates Newroz and Akito in NES | William Roebuck says “ethnic cleansing” has happened under Turkey | AUMF moves closer to repeal | Ned Price fields question on Turkish abuses in Afrin | Special Envoy holds briefingContinue Reading
In an exclusive interview with the Syrian Democratic Times, Newroz Ehmed discusses the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the US military presence in Syria, the women’s movement in Syria, the Kurdish experience, what motivates her on a daily basis, and more.Continue Reading
Despite inspiring advances, women in the region are currently facing several unique challenges that threaten to reverse their progress. What are the main challenges to women’s rights in North and East Syria?Continue Reading
In North and East Syria, women lead at the highest levels of government thanks to the co-leadership model. They hold these roles not as tokens, but as decision-makers, respected voices, and influential thinkers.Continue Reading
Many experts were shocked when The New York Times, one of the most respected news sources in the world, published an article that seemed to say that the Turkish occupation of Afrin had been good for the region, and that Turkey’s brutal land grab was somehow a humanitarian mission.Continue Reading
Based on prior aid delivery practices, it seems certain that the Assad government will reserve the vaccines for its own government officials and loyalist regions, while leaving other regions of Syria to fend for themselves.Continue Reading
There are some signs emerging on what Biden’s Syria policy may look like. For now, the US military is planning to stay where it is in North and East Syria and in collaboration with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Operation Inherent Resolve.Continue Reading
“Erdogan has taken the country in a very bad direction in my view,” said Representative Jim Costa (D-CA). “It’s not the Turkey we knew two decades ago.”Continue Reading
“We call on the Biden Administration to recognize North and East Syria,” said Mohamad.Continue Reading
“Shining a light in the darkest night, the Christmas Tree was lit in the town square in Hasakah, North and East Syria — a remarkable display of the religious freedom and diversity in our region.”Continue Reading
“May our shared democratic spirit and focus on peace and security provide the basis for continued collaboration and cooperation…”Continue Reading
The Syrian Democratic Forces are still keeping the world safe from ISIS — a year and a half after President Donald Trump announced the fall of the “caliphate.”Continue Reading
In 2014, the people of North and East Syria fought to defend their homeland, but they also fought for an idea: democracy. Today, the struggle for true democracy continues.Continue Reading
The Commission specifically lists crimes committed by the SNA in the Afrin region and Ras Al-Ain, which are under occupation by the Turkish state.Continue Reading
US State Department officials went on a campaign over the past two weeks in order to influence public opinion on the Caesar Act.Continue Reading
“The SDF are a first-class counterterrorism force,” said Ambassador James Jeffrey, US Department of State.Continue Reading
“We must all together find solutions. We are ready to find solutions for all people, and stop this bloodshed.”Continue Reading
There is little doubt that COVID-19 is spreading undetected.Continue Reading
US Congress wants to do something for North and East Syria — if Mitch McConnell will allow it.Continue Reading
By popular request, a primer for beginners, to help you understand the election.Continue Reading
Ambassador Jeffrey’s recent remarks on US-Syria policy and bills in US Congress.Continue Reading
A guide to bills in US Congress that are relevant to North and East SyriaContinue Reading
A “robust discussion” and “open dispute” occurred between Trump and Senator James Risch following Turkey’s S-400 purchase.Continue Reading
This week two senior diplomats with the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) spoke in a panel discussion that was part of the 2019 Ministerial on International Religious Freedom hosted by the US State Department. Continue Reading
There’s fresh talk of the Turkish threat to North and East Syria, as Turkey moves more troops and equipment to the Syria border in an apparent move to intimidate US troops stationed in Syria. This once again poses a grave threat to the people of the North and East Syria.Continue Reading
The Senate’s version of the NDAA includes funding authority to address ISIS detainees.Continue Reading
Latest US-Syria policy news impacting North and East SyriaContinue Reading
So far, seven people have lost their lives battling these fires.Continue Reading
AANES continues to get the short shrift by its allies in the US.Continue Reading