Julien Barnes-Dacey

What Europe should do about Syria

European states pushing to re-engage must not offer Assad cost-free re-legitimisation

Europe’s Iran dilemma

On Sunday, November 4, far-reaching sanctions will be re-imposed on Iran and its oil sector. The European Union is trying to preserve a version of the deal, but the recent incidents in Denmark and France have heightened the tensions. 

Idlib: the last attack

Rebels may hold out longer than expected, but there seems little doubt the Assad regime will eventually prevail in the imminent assault on Idlib 

Syria strikes: in search of a strategy

It remains hard to see how this US administration will produce a wider strategy for Syria that both allows for meaningful impact and limits escalation. 

Syria: New rules of the game?

As Syria’s civil war heads towards an end game, wider international fault lines are sharpening. Only Russia has the power to stop escalation but it is yet to choose its course.