Publication

This commentary discusses the situation in the moderate rebel opposition-held areas in the south of Syria after almost four years of civil war. The author highlights that the last bastion of the original Syrian revolt is increasingly under pressure, requiring a change in the ambivalent position of outside powers on helping moderate rebel groups. To help the moderate opposition in Syria, he recommends 1) building up an international aid mechanism, 2) diplomatic aid to the Syrian interim government’s work in the south of Syria, 3) a lessons learned process for local ceasefires and 4) addressing the refugee crisis at the Jordanian border.