Aleppo

In this Dec. 5, 2016, file photo, Syrian army soldiers fire their weapons during a battle with rebel fighters at the Ramouseh front line, east of Aleppo, Syria. 

Civil warcraft: Part II

In this week's Critical State, a weekly foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, Kelsey D. Atherton takes a deep dive into insurgency and counterinsurgency in urban warfare.

Civil warcraft: Part II
A man carries an elderly woman as people continue to leave Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. 

Managing the aftermath: Part I

Managing the aftermath: Part I
A Syrian grocery shop in Istanbul sells brands that are familiar to Syrian customers, such as canned meats and condensed milk.

Syrian refugees and migrants in Turkey face a difficult decision to return home 

Syrian refugees and migrants in Turkey face a difficult decision to return home 
A woman votes for President Bashar al-Assad

Displaced Syrians in Turkey say Syria's elections are a sham

Displaced Syrians in Turkey say Syria's elections are a sham
(Clockwise from top left) Meklit Hadero in red lighting, Sinkane stsnding in front of wooden wall, Diana Gameros standing in front of a brick wall and Hello Psychaleppo looking down at a keyboard.

Four musicians grapple with the same question: What is home?

Four musicians grapple with the same question: What is home?
Several Syria soldiers are shown walking alongside and riding on a tank in a dirt road.

Syrian forces consolidate control of Aleppo, air strikes under way

Government air strikes have hit hospitals and displaced persons camps in northwest Syria and killed about 300 civilians as President Bashar al-Assad's forces press an assault against the last rebel stronghold, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Syrian forces consolidate control of Aleppo, air strikes under way
Mother, father and baby pose outside for a photo in wooded area

'For Sama': A love letter from filmmaker to daughter on life and war in Aleppo

Waad al-Kateab decided to film her own life in Aleppo continously for five years, in which she fell in love, married a doctor, gave birth, and survived the months-long siege, airstrikes and snipers, while living in an upper floor of the last hospital in the city.  

'For Sama': A love letter from filmmaker to daughter on life and war in Aleppo
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Baghdadi’s death is a huge blow to ISIS, but history suggests it won’t guarantee a safer world

Common sense would suggest the world is indeed now a much safer place with ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's passing. Unfortunately, however, there is no guarantee this will prove to be true in practice. 

Baghdadi’s death is a huge blow to ISIS, but history suggests it won’t guarantee a safer world
A man is shown walking in front of a metro stop in Istanbul at dusk with the long shadow of several other people on the wall.

Turkey denies deporting refugees to Syria. Activists say they’ve sent back thousands.

Turkish officials claim that the government has not forcibly deported Syrians in a widespread campaign to crack down on illegal migration in recent weeks.

Turkey denies deporting refugees to Syria. Activists say they’ve sent back thousands.
Syrian children

For Syrian refugee children in Turkey, a 'home with dignity' is hard to find

For refugees, it's hard to access mental health and guidance, and even for those who do manage to get enrolled in school, the education system itself struggles to cope with the trauma that young Syrians carry into the classroom.

For Syrian refugee children in Turkey, a 'home with dignity' is hard to find
Destroyed buildings, cars, and people and are seen from across the street in Aleppo's old town.

8 years after Syria’s first protests, one Syrian says ‘we really just wanted freedom’

Adbulkafi Alhamdo fled Aleppo and is now living in Idlib with his two young daughters. Even though the cost was higher than he thought it would be, he doesn't regret standing up for freedom, he says.

8 years after Syria’s first protests, one Syrian says ‘we really just wanted freedom’
Three Syrian medical staff wear gas masks in a chemical weapons attack training.

Syria may be using chemical weapons against its citizens again — here’s how international law has changed to help countries intervene

In April 2018, the US, UK and France fired 103 missiles at three Syrian chemical weapons production and storage facilities to halt Syria’s continuing use of deadly weapons. For a while, it did the trick. The legal rationale? Humanitarian intervention.

Syria may be using chemical weapons against its citizens again — here’s how international law has changed to help countries intervene
syrian food served in turkey

Syrian revolution changed how women are viewed in the workplace

Many Syrian refugee women are now working informally in their new host countries or learning new skills to contribute to their families.

Syrian revolution changed how women are viewed in the workplace
Rows of greenish-brown soap sit on wooden racks

French demand for Syrian soap keeps an ancient art alive

When Samir Constantini got the idea to import Aleppo soap to France, it took years to sell his first batch. Now, he's operating a factory and warehouse outside of Paris, helping keep the soap-making tradition alive.

French demand for Syrian soap keeps an ancient art alive
Several people look at bags of dried ingredients laid outside a shop. In the foreground, a man leans against a stall.

In rubble of Aleppo souk, tablecloth shop makes solitary comeback

One vendor has returned to open his shop in central Aleppo. He says he wants to see life return to his city.

In rubble of Aleppo souk, tablecloth shop makes solitary comeback