Dec. 5th, 2017 Welcome to our weekly summary of Syria Deeply’s top coverage of crisis in Syria. As part of our Deeply Talks series, Syria Deeply will host a live call next week, examining the recent flurry of diplomatic discussions aimed at setting the stage for a settlement to the nearly seven-year conflict. Keep an eye on your inbox this week for the invitation.  Peace talks: The eighth round of peace talks opened in Geneva last Tuesday, and by Friday, the Syrian government delegation had quit, saying they would not return without a change in the opposition’s stance toward President Bashar al-Assad. Chief government negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari said there would be “no progress” as long as the opposition did not reverse its call for the removal of Assad before the start of a political transition. The opposition High Negotiation Committee (HNC) adopted this position two weeks ago during their own talks in Saudi Arabia, where they had hoped to form a stronger, more unified front before heading to Geneva. In a televised interview with the pro-government al-Mayadeen TV, Jaafari later said the government would not engage seriously in peace talks if the statement was not revoked, and said the decision on whether or not to resume negotiations this week was in Damascus’ hands. The previous day, U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura told reporters that negotiations could run until December 15. Israel strikes Syria: Israel again threatened Syria over Iran’s presence in the country, saying it would not tolerate Iran-backed forces along its border. Israel fired missiles toward Damascus on Saturday, reportedly targeting a military site near the capital, according to CNN. Syria’s air defense system intercepted two Israeli surface-to-surface missiles but others caused material damage to the military position, according to state-run SANA news agency. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the missiles targeted an arms depot near al-Kiswa town south of Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It was not immediately clear whether the Syrian army, Lebanese Hezbollah or other Iran-backed forces operated the warehouse. “Let me reiterate Israel’s policy,” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the Saban Forum, an annual gathering of American and Israeli leaders in Washington hosted by the Brookings Institution. “We will not allow that regime [Iran] to entrench itself militarily in Syria, as it seeks to do, for the express purpose of eradicating our state.” Damascus suburbs: Despite being a so-called de-escalation zone, the Eastern Ghouta area in the Damascus suburbs has been under heavy bombardment for more than 20 days. At least 192 people, including 43 children, 21 women and four members of the Civil Defense, have been killed since November 14, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. “There has been massive loss of life – hundreds and hundreds have been wounded,” special United Nations humanitarian adviser for Syria, Jan Egeland, said, describing the situation as a “catastrophe.” “In general, there is no calm in this de-escalation zone. There is only escalation in this de-escalation zone,” Egeland said. Amnesty International claimed the Syrian government used Soviet-made cluster munitions – which 100 countries have banned – in the Eastern Ghouta, killing at least 10 civilians since November 14. What’s more, a crippling siege has left as many as 400,000 people trapped in the rebel-held area without access to health and basic living necessities. Read our Daily Executive Summaries MOST POPULAR This Week’s Top Articles GOVERNMENT & PRO-GOVERNMENT FORCES A War Within a War: Chechnya’s Expanding Role in Syria Over the past year, Chechnya significantly expanded its role and foothold in Syria, including funding the reconstruction of major Syrian mosques and deploying highly trained Chechen military forces to some of the toughest front lines. CIVIL SOCIETY Opposition Media Activists Face Uncertain Future The war in Syria significantly increased the number of so-called opposition media activists who documented alleged human rights abuses and war crimes. But as pro-government forces regain control of rebel-held territory, they fear for their future. HUMAN RIGHTS Escaping Europe: Why Some Syrian Refugees Have Chosen to Leave The route from Turkey to Greece was once crowded with Syrian asylum seekers fleeing to Europe. But in recent months some refugees have begun to move in the opposite direction because of what they describe as a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in host countries. EDITOR’S PICKS Community Insight WAR ECONOMY Ten Experts to Watch on Reconstruction in Syria Mel Plant,  Freelance Journalist Currently From infrastructure and urban planning to funding and democratic dialogue, in this next installment of our “Experts to Watch” series we highlight 10 experts who focus on the different aspects of reconstruction in Syria. GOVERNMENT & PRO-GOVERNMENT FORCES The Troubling Triumvirate Ruling Over Aleppo Khaled Al-Khateb,  Journalist and Former lecturer, University of Aleppo Almost one year after rebels retreated from Aleppo, the northern Syrian city is now at the mercy of security services, pro-government militias and the Baath party, who are doing little to improve living conditions, writes Syrian journalist Khaled Al-Khateb. WAR ECONOMY Analysis: No Funds to Foot Syria’s Reconstruction Bill Mia Bennett,  Journalist, Specializes in Covering Syrian Economic Affairs Although the drive to reconstruct Syria has gained momentum in recent months, the government does not have the funds or strategy to lead the recovery process, writes Syrian journalist Jihad Yazigi. FIRST LOOK Upcoming coverage For our readers in New York, please join us December 6 for News Deeply’s event Advancing Civilian Protection: Human Rights in Times of Upheaval or share this with friends and colleagues in the area. You received this email because you’re signed up to receive updates from us. Click here to unsubscribe. Copyright © 2017 News Deeply, Inc. All rights reserved.