International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Frustration and anger rise in the streets in Syria

Joseph Daher — 2026-07-16T20:55:25Z

Since the beginning of the year, demonstrations and strikes have continued across Syria . The demands range from the aspiration for increased political participation and democratic rights, to the condemnation of the actions and violations committed by the Israeli occupying forces in the Kuneitra region, to the right to education in Sweida. The newspaper Kasioun counted 34 rallies and demonstrations in 21 localities in several governorates, cities, towns and universities in Syria between 18-24 May 2026. Protest actions continue at the time of writing.

- IVP618 - July 2026 / Syria

Forcing Refugees To Return to Syria is a Bad Idea

Joseph Daher — 2026-07-11T10:23:20Z

“Not only are the conditions for a safe and dignified return to Syria not given. Without economic recovery and the reconstruction of critical state infrastructure a mass return of refugees to Syria would only worsen socio-economic conditions within the country and threaten large sectors of society dependent on remittances to survive.”

- IVP618 - July 2026 / Germany, Syria, Migration

The framework agreement Lebanon-Israel, a capitulation to multiple threats

Joseph Daher — 2026-07-04T08:26:50Z

Following the fragile memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, on 26 June 2026 the Lebanese and Israeli governments signed, with the sponsorship of the United States, “a framework agreement”. In addition to representing a capitulation to US and Israeli political interests, this “agreement”, in its conclusion, threatens to transform the Lebanese state into a security subcontractor of Tel Aviv and thus deepen both political and sectarian tensions in the country.

- IVP618 - July 2026 / Israel, Lebanon

Where is Ahmad al-Chareh's Syria heading?

Jean Batou, Joseph Daher — 2026-02-11T20:01:48Z

“Daher provides an update on the worrying developments under Ahmad al-Chareh's new government. He also highlights the opportunities opening up for working people and social movements, provided they prove capable of resisting sectarianism and ethnic discrimination.”

- IVP613 - February 2026 / Syria

Should Kurdish freedoms be sacrificed for Syria's centralisation?

Joseph Daher — 2026-01-28T14:29:18Z

Despite a ceasefire between al-Sharaa's government & SDF, the president is not providing enough assurances that Syrian Kurds are protected.

- IVP612 - January 2026 / Syria, Kurdistan

Why Syria needs better governance...and a new kind of opposition

Joseph Daher — 2025-12-13T06:48:00Z

Syria's post-Assad leadership is failing its people, igniting protests over poverty & inequality. Joseph Daher reflects on a year under Ahmed al-Sharaa.

- IVP611 - December 2025 / Syria

Hamas After 7 October: Resistance and Challenges

Joseph Daher — 2025-10-19T08:50:49Z

Following Ismail Haniyeh's assassination by Israel in Tehran on 31 July 2024 he was succeeded as head of Hamas' political bureau for the whole movement by Yahya Sinwar, who had led Hamas' political bureau for the Gaza Strip since 2017. According to Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Beirut, speaking to al-Jazeera, this choice was adopted ‘unanimously'. Sinwar himself was killed by Israeli occupation forces, apparently unaware of his identity, on 17 October 2024.

- Features / Palestine

Syria's future won't be secure through Israel normalisation

Joseph Daher — 2025-08-24T16:55:56Z

As al-Sharaa leads Syria further towards normalisation with Israel, Joseph Daher argues that alignment with the US & its allies won't bring lasting stability.

- IVP607 - August 2025 / Syria, Israel

Lebanon's Sovereignty Battle Isn't Just Over Arms

Joseph Daher, Sami Atallah, Sami Zoughaib — 2025-08-21T15:00:06Z

“When citizens see the state not as an enforcer but as a guarantor of rights, Lebanon will have moved from asserting sovereignty to constructing it.”

- IVP607 - August 2025 / Lebanon

Suweida Under Fire: The Consolidation of Power in Damascus, and Sectarianism

Joseph Daher — 2025-08-01T15:46:28Z

“In this context, the recent events in Suweida demonstrate, once again, that Syria is not experiencing a democratic and inclusive political transition. Rather, it is a process of establishing a new authoritarian regime, structured and led by HTS, under the guise of institutional and international legitimacy.”

- IVP607 - August 2025 / Syria