Syria

USIP: Guns, Camps and Deradicalization: Violent Extremists in Conflict Zones

Riley.C.Murray — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 03:28:23 +0000

USIP: Guns, Camps and Deradicalization: Violent Extremists in Conflict Zones

Link: https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/03/guns-camps-and-deradicalization-violent-extremists-conflict-zones

What are the differences between disengagement and rehabilitation programs in stable settings and in conflict zones?

Violent extremists make civil conflicts more complex and less manageable. Whether in the Middle East, Africa or South Asia, one of the many problems presented by conflicts involving violent extremists is how to deal with these combatants and associates when they surrender or are captured. There have been many attempts to disengage, deradicalize, rehabilitate and reintegrate violent extremists around the world, but most research focuses on stable settings such as Western Europe and North America. What, then, do we know about how to do this in the middle of conflict?

It’s one thing to put a terrorist offender in a Western prison through a disengagement and rehabilitation program. But the challenges are far greater in a location such as northeast Syria. The territorial defeat of the Islamic State group (ISIS) left around 10,000 former combatants and thousands of family members in the hands of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its political wing, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC).

But what is the status of the former combatants? Are they criminals or prisoners of war? Are their families displaced victims, or should they be viewed as suspected perpetrators? How should they be treated, and by whom? The SDF and SDC may have de facto jurisdiction, but they are not recognized as sovereign by any country and are under military and political pressure on all sides. And as several political controversies in recent years have shown, few states seem interested in taking responsibility for even the most vulnerable and most victimized of their own citizens in northeast Syria.

Read more about USIP: Guns, Camps and Deradicalization: Violent Extremists in Conflict Zones

Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve Quarterly Report to the United States Congress | October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020

Riley.C.Murray — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 00:48:58 +0000

Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve Quarterly Report to the United States Congress | October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020

A roundup of the conflict in against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Topics Include:

Partner Forces

The state of ISIS in Iraq and Syria

Troop Reductions

Link: https://www.dodig.mil/In-the-Spotlight/Article/2497908/lead-inspector-general-for-operation-inherent-resolve-quarterly-report-to-the-u/

Read more about Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve Quarterly Report to the United States Congress | October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020

Turkey’s Drone War in Syria – A Red Team View

SWJED — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:59:03 +0000

Turkey’s Drone War in Syria – A Red Team View SWJED Thu, 04/16/2020 - 11:59am

Since the Idlib operation, a number of articles have appeared with glowing reviews on the sophistication of Turkey’s homegrown drone force and its tactical effectiveness in Syria. While decidedly impactful, a review of the operation suggests there are some shortcomings as well. These include questions about the Turkish drones’ operational reach, lethality and survivability. Any analysis of the implications of Turkey’s demonstrated UAS strength, particularly their potential role in other conflict zones, should consider these potential vulnerabilities as well.

What to Make of Turkey’s Recent Dust-Up in Syria

SWJED — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 20:22:51 +0000

What to Make of Turkey’s Recent Dust-Up in Syria SWJED Tue, 03/17/2020 - 4:22pm

Putin’s effort to divide NATO through the recruitment of Erdogan has run aground in Syria, where the Russian-backed forces of Bashar al-Assad were recently battered by superior Turkish aircraft and weaponry. After Syrian and Russian aircraft attacked a Turkish column and killed 33 (some report as many as 100) Turkish troops, Erdogan’s forces downed Syrian fighter planes, destroyed Syrian tanks and artillery pieces and killed Syrian soldiers.

After Nine Years, Syria’s Conflict Has Only Become More Complicated

SWJED — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 12:22:53 +0000

After Nine Years, Syria’s Conflict Has Only Become More Complicated SWJED Fri, 03/13/2020 - 8:22am

The engagement of external actors has protracted the conflict and Syrians civilians continue to bear the brunt. USIP’s Mona Yacoubian discusses the dreadful toll on the Syrian population and what the battle for Idlib means for the trajectory of the conflict.

All the King’s Men: Authoritarianism, Loyalty and the Syrian Collapse

SWJED — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 12:27:34 +0000

All the King’s Men: Authoritarianism, Loyalty and the Syrian Collapse SWJED Sun, 02/09/2020 - 7:27am

While the true social and economic origins of the Syrian civil war stretch back decades, the longstanding culture of government corruption and purchased loyalties hastened the final spiral toward war. Like in pre-war Iraq under Saddam Hussein, loyalty and favor had been traded like currency among the upper echelons of Syrian society since the early days of Hafez al-Assad’s rule.

Amid Humanitarian Crisis, Syrian Regime Intensifies Idlib Offensive

SWJED — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 05:28:52 +0000

Amid Humanitarian Crisis, Syrian Regime Intensifies Idlib Offensive SWJED Fri, 02/07/2020 - 12:28am

Of the three million people in Idlib province, U.N. sources estimate more than one million have been displaced—with approximately 586,000 displaced since December 1, and the number is rising rapidly. With Turkey and other nations closing their borders, and harsh winter conditions in the region, what is the humanitarian situation in Idlib?

Being a Proxy: The History of Cooptation Offers Lessons to Learn - Are the Kurds Learning Them?

SWJED — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:27:38 +0000

Being a Proxy: The History of Cooptation Offers Lessons to Learn - Are the Kurds Learning Them? SWJED Wed, 11/13/2019 - 3:27pm

They know the drill. Emerging threats, foreign intervention, local alliances, and historic letdowns. Abandonment should not come as a surprise. Great powers have instrumentalized Kurdish nationalism for grand strategy, but cooptation implies agency from the proxy—a willingness to offer its strategic advantages for support or protection. U.S. withdrawal in face of the Turkish incursion in Kurdish-controlled northern Syria shines a light on the challenges of proxy warfare.

A Month After U.S. Withdrawal, What is the State of Play in Syria?

SWJED — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 11:06:40 +0000

A Month After U.S. Withdrawal, What is the State of Play in Syria? SWJED Sat, 11/09/2019 - 6:06am

In the month since President Trump’s October 6 phone call with Turkish President Erdogan and the announced U.S. withdrawal from northeast Syria, the picture on the ground has changed immensely. Moscow has emerged as the key power broker in Syria. The Kurds, looking for protection from Turkish forces, are in Russian-brokered talks with the Assad government. These discussions could pave the way for an expanded Syrian government presence in the northeast for the first time in years.

Should the U.S. Carry Out Punitive Strikes in Reaction to Chemical Weapons Attacks in Syria?

SWJED — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 05:04:22 +0000

Should the U.S. Carry Out Punitive Strikes in Reaction to Chemical Weapons Attacks in Syria? SWJED Tue, 09/24/2019 - 1:04am

The international community, with the U.S. at the helm, has made it clear chemical weapons attacks are a uniquely abhorrent violation of international norms and laws. One that justifies punitive military strikes against the Syrian regime. Some might wonder if the Syrian regime could be deterred by more significant military action. Probably not.