Dear Readers,

Welcome to the weekly Syria Deeply newsletter. We’ve rounded up the most important stories and developments about Syria and the Syrians in order to bring you valuable news and analysis.

Aleppo Onslaught Leaves Syrians Stranded on the Border

The Russian-supported onslaught on the city of Aleppo and surrounding countryside has forced more than 50,000 people to flee their homes and head north to the Turkish border. But as the border remains closed and the weather gets colder, Syria’s displaced are stranded.

The Consequences of Russian Free Reign in Syria

Russian president Vladimir Putin has duped the west, writes Fredric Hof, using a military solution to fix the only aspect of the Syrian crisis he deems worth solving: the preservation of Bashar al-Assad’s rule in at least part of the country. But Russian free reign in Syria has global consequences.

The Staggering Price of Syria’s Reconstruction

Five years of war in Syria have left large swathes of the country in ruin. And with the peace process on the brink of collapse, an end to the war is nowhere in sight. But with a reconstruction bill that is likely to run well over $100 billion, planning for Syria’s eventual rebuilding must start now.

More Recent Stories to Look Out for at Syria Deeply

• International Intervention Is Prolonging Syrian War

• Government Push in North Forces 50,000 to Borders

• My Life Outside Syria: Diary Entry 57

Find our new reporting and analysis every weekday at www.syriadeeply.org.

You can reach our team with any comments or suggestions at info@newsdeeply.org.

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the weekly Syria Deeply newsletter. We’ve rounded up the most important stories and developments about Syria and the Syrians in order to bring you valuable news and analysis.

Pro-Assad Militias Close in on Rebel-held Aleppo

Pro-government forces, backed by Russian air power, are very close to encircling opposition-held Aleppo. Syria’s Deeply’s correspondent in the city gives a firsthand account of how this “decisive” battle has unfolded over the past few days – and speaks with rebel military sources and activists.

Recommended Resources: Top Six Syria Reads

Syria expert Aron Lund picks six reads you probably haven’t come across before – on subjects including authoritarian counterinsurgency tactics, the key forces behind conflict before 2011, the divisions likely to make the Geneva peace talks fail and life as a gay soldier in Assad’s army.

U.S. Must Acknowledge Military Means Required to Protect Civilians

If the U.S. fails to acknowledge that military means are required to protect civilians and to achieve the desired political outcome in Syria, write Tyler Jess Thompson and Evan McCarthy Barrett, Assad will continue to undermine international law, whip up Sunni extremism and dominate the settlement.

More Recent Stories to Look Out for at Syria Deeply

Syrians Want End to War, Not Patchwork Solutions

Assad Advances in Latakia with Russian Support

Without Political Support, U.S.-Kurd Alliance in Jeopardy

Barring Kurds in Geneva Will Only Make Matters Worse

Find our new reporting and analysis every weekday at www.syriadeeply.org.
You can reach our team with any comments or suggestions at info@newsdeeply.org.