Syrian Podcasts: Understanding Audiences and Exploring the Potential for Expansion
In this study we sought to understand the creation and distribution of podcasts in Syria. Its scope includes not only the characteristics of current producers and content, but also the demographics, habits, and preferences of the audience. Such a broad scope helps provide both current and future podcast producers with the necessary feedback to develop production and marketing strategies.
Three signs of impending famine in Syria absent immediate action
Syria is headed toward a famine due to three factors: The severity of the ongoing drought, which is compounded by the water management policies of neighboring Turkey; the unprecedented level of food insecurity, compounded by the rise in global food prices; and the decline in donor humanitarian funding. We propose three policy responses to pre-empt the looming crisis.
Visualizing Syria’s Merchandise Trade 2010-2019
Every year, the Syrian Government releases merchandise trade data broken down, destination or country of origin, value, quantity, and commodity type, making it a valuable resource for analysts. This research tool pulls the scattered data together for easier access.
Living in Damascus After a Decade of War: Employment, Income, and Consumption
Syria’s regime-controlled areas witnessed several economic crises in late 2019 and 2020, leading to an exceptional deterioration in living standards. Operations and Policy Center (OPC) surveyed 600 respondents in three Damascus neighborhoods to assess Damascenes’ main economic activities: work, consumption, and spending.
The Economics of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
This study outlines how Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is taking over Idlib’s economy since its transformation from the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda to the de facto authority in the area. While the takeover is incomplete, the extent to which it will continue is primarily determined by Turkey’s tolerance of the group.
Attitudes Toward Emigration in the Syrian Capital of Damascus: A Survey in Three Neighborhoods
Using a sample of 600 respondents, this study attempts to identify attitudes among residents of the Syrian capital, Damascus, toward emigration and the context surrounding it, conducted at a time when the areas under the Syrian regime’s control are witnessing an exceptional deterioration in living standards. (Read in Arabic)
Reality of Housing, Land, and Property Rights in Syria
This comprehensive report, published by the Day After in collaboration with OPC, gives a panoramic view of housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in Syria. It studies informal housing, access to documentation, institutions for real estate development and how they operate, and the HLP measures taken in areas outside the regime’s control. (Read in English, Read in Arabic)
Visualizing Syria’s 2021 Budget
At first glance, Syria’s 2021 budget seems to be the most impressive yet, featuring a whopping 8 trillion Syrian pound (SP) spending package. However, once one gets past the sticker shock it becomes...
The Red Dragon in the Land of Jasmine: An Overview of China’s Role in the Syrian Conflict
As China’s engagement in the Middle East continues to rise, its role in the Syrian conflict remains largely unaddressed. This study provides an overview of China’s interests and objectives in the conflict while simultaneously assessing its potential involvement in any reconstruction process.
Stuck in No-Man’s Land: A Snapshot of the State of al-Rukban in its Seventh Year
Seven years on, the situation in al-Rukban displacement camp is growing increasingly desperate. This study provides an overview of the humanitarian and medical conditions in al-Rukban, as well as the public services available.
The Kin Who Count: Mapping Raqqa’s Tribal Topology
Previous analyses have often misunderstood the intricate tribal structures in Syria, drawing false links between tribalism and terrorism. This interactive research tool, co-published by the Middles East Institute and the Operations and Policy Center, aims to shed light on the tribal structure in ar-Raqqah governorate, making it accessible to anyone interested in understanding the current state of affairs there.
North-West Syria: Potential Scenarios
Despite the Russian and Turkish de-escalation and ceasefire agreements, the Assad regime continues to attack NW Syria, especially areas to the south of the M4. Here we map out potential military conflict scenarios for the near-term future of NW Syria, in light of the volatile Turkish-Russian dynamics.
Syrians and the Constitution Survey
Explore our data-driven interactive tool to understand how Syrians feel about the Syrian Constitutional Committee, relying on a 2,966-people survey conducted in the summer of 2020.
Syrian Opinion Split on Decentralizing Power in New Constitution
As the Constitutional Committee met in Geneva, OPC analyzed the opinions of Syrians on what they want a new system of governance to look like. Their answers, unsurprisingly, were varied.
2021 Budget Reveals the Depth of Syria’s Economic Woes
The 2021 budget is the smallest to date. However, a deeper analysis of the 2021 budget reveals core structural problems with Damascus’s finances.