International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Climate events provoke tensions in the Arab world

Luiza Toscane — 2026-08-02T08:54:03Z

The countries of the Arabic-speaking region experienced floods last winter (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia). Six months later, the region is experiencing extreme temperatures: from 40° to 50° in the Maghreb and 50° and more in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula, with an average of 35° in Gaza (meaning 50° in tents). Deaths due to the heatwave are estimated to be in the hundreds in Tunisia.

- IVP619 - August 2026 / Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Climate, Yemen, Oman

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

Internationalism Is Not a Luxury, but a Survival Mechanism

Leila Al-Shami , Oleksandr Kyselov — 2026-05-01T07:16:04Z

The world of yesterday at the abyss: How can a solidary vision be built that does not side with one imperialist camp or another, but rather relies on liberation from below? A conversation with British-Syrian author Leila al-Shami and Ukrainian socialist Oleksandr Kyselov.

- Features / Syria, Ukraine

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

On the Recent Agreement Between Damascus and the Kurdish Administration

Gilbert Achcar — 2026-02-03T07:44:00Z

“There is therefore little doubt that the present compromise has not resolved the conflict but has instead shifted it from a military to a political phase. This new phase will involve a political struggle that continues the war by other means, just as war itself is a continuation of politics by other means, as the maxim goes.”

- IVP613 - February 2026 / Syria, Kurdistan

The Kurds and the Syrian Regime

Gilbert Achcar — 2026-01-29T13:03:35Z

Recent developments in northern Syria – particularly east of the Euphrates – carry grave implications for both the Kurdish condition and the broader Syrian situation. Let us examine these implications, beginning with the Kurdish issue.

- IVP612 - January 2026 / Syria, Kurdistan

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

Rojava: Political Autonomy, Social Bases, and Imperial Dynamics

Foti Benlisoy — 2026-01-27T10:54:40Z

“Debating the lessons of the experience of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria should not take precedence over our duty of solidarity; on the contrary, it should complement it.”

- 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