Western sanctions against Damascus must evolve—Just as Syria has

Western sanctions against Damascus must evolve—Just as Syria has

The US can play a pivotal role in next chapter of Syria's recovery by shifting its approach from maximum pressure to calibrated influence.

The Kurds in northern Syria reject the government cabinet of the Islamist interim president al-Sharaa, which was presented on Saturday. The Autonomous Self-Government Office of the Kurds criticized that the new government does not reflect the diversity of the country.

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce considered the formation of a new Syrian government a positive step, but it will not lead to sanctions relief until tangible progress is made on key issues, including counterterrorism. Bruce added in a press conference that the United States recognizes the suffering of the Syrian people as a result of the authoritarian rule and repression practiced by the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, and…

What happened when Syria's conservative new leaders tried to shut 60 Damascus bars - TPR: The Public's Radio

When Syria's new leaders shut 60 Damascus bars, drinkers protested, and the government reversed itself. It's an example of the tussle between secular and Islamist values in the new Syria.

Syria's Kurds reject legitimacy of new government

The Kurdish-led administration in northwestern Syria on Sunday rejected the legitimacy of the new national government formed by the Islamist coalition that toppled longtime autocrat Bashar al-Assad in December. “Any government that does not reflect the country’s diversity and plurality cannot ensure proper governance of Syria,” it said in a statement a day after the announcement of the government’s formation. “As a result, we do not consider our…

The Kurdish authorities in northwestern Syria do not recognize the new transitional government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, they announced today, a day after Al-Sharaa presented his government.