9 April 2016

Featured
Syria's Assad shows no willingness to compromise
by Samia Nakhoul via Reuters International
As the Syria peace talks resume next week, President Bashar al-Assad, backed militarily by Iran and Russia, shows no willingness to compromise, much less step aside to allow a transition Western powers claim is the solution to the conflict.
Inside Syria
Syrian Kurds proceed with federal structures despite Turkish threats
via Al Monitor
Erdogan not backing down on US support for Syrian Kurds
ISIS Reportedly Carries Out Mass Kidnapping Of Factory Workers In Syria
by Merrit Kennedy via NPR
ISIS has conducted a mass kidnapping of industrial workers near Syria's capital, Damascus, according to Syrian state media and an independent rights group.
Refugees
The Europe–Turkey Refugee Deal Explained via Al Jazeera English
The U.S. Is Way Behind Its Goal of Accepting 10,000 Syrian Refugees
By Amanda Sakuma via NBC News
The United States is bracing to resettle nearly 9,000 Syrian refugees over the next several months after falling severely behind in the Obama administration's pledge to increase the number of families it accepts.
Want to save Syrian refugees? Help them go to college.
By Meredith Jung-En Woo via Foreign Policy
They've survived, now they need a future. A piece focusing on developmental investment into the crisis over reactive, temporary responses.
Conflict Analysis
Syria and the Russian-American understanding
By Al Watan Syria via Mid-East wire
Has a permanent solution map truly been drawn up in Syria? Why was the issue of federalism raised at this point in time in particular?

European sources expect “tough and complicated” talks in Geneva in ten days
By Asharq al-Awsat via Mid East Wire
European diplomatic sources that are closely following up on the developments of the Syrian file expect a “tough and complicated” round of inter-Syrian talks in Geneva under the mediation of the international envoy, Staffan de Mistura, which is expected to be re-launched on April 9 and 10.
Proxy Politics

Syrian refugees boost Turkish economy, but for how long?
Kerim Karakaya via Al Monitor
Turkish economy grew an average of 3% in the past four years, a rate that trails behind the country’s 50-year average of 4.5%. The slowdown is the result of both the weakening global economy and adverse political and economic conditions at home. Yet a much-needed booster has come from an unlikely quarter — the Syrian refugees.
Turkey 'illegally returning Syrian refugees' - Amnesty
via BBC News
Turkey has illegally forced thousands of refugees to return to Syria, a report by Amnesty International says.
How Russian special forces are shaping the fight in Syria
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff via The Washington Post
Russian soldiers train with sniffer dogs and specialist equipment in preparation for their deployment to Syria to participate in de-mining the historic town of Palmyra which was recaptured from the Islamic State Sunday
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