Assad
Massacre of the innocents: the return of sectarian persecution in Syria
No one covers up their war crimes any more. They film them, celebrate them, post them on X. So we…
Will the Syrian Civil War create another ISIS?
There are unintended consequences, and then there are unintended consequences. What we are seeing in Syria, as Aleppo and Hama…
The film makes you ashamed to call yourself a journalist: A Private War reviewed
A Private War is a biopic of the celebrated Sunday Times war correspondent Marie Colvin who was, judging from this,…
In Idlib, the final chapter in Syria’s civil war has begun
Beirut The customs man wore a white linen suit. He had a large moustache. His ample belly touched the edge…
Putin the peacemaker
When Russia entered the Syrian civil war in September 2015 the then US secretary of defense, Ash Carter, predicted catastrophe…
High life
On 17 November 1813, Marshal Ney, the bravest of the brave, had been the last to march out of Smolensk…
Home and away
Four programmes, four very different kinds of radio, from a classically made drama to weird sonic ramblings, via the best…
‘Excess is obnoxious’
Justin Marozzi on the bitter irony of Aleppo’s ancient motto
Farty, smelly and in love with Putin? You must be getting middle-aged
There are things that happen when you grow older — bad things, harbingers of death and decay. Past the age of…
Turkey can’t cope. Can we?
There has been an influx of 2.5 million Syrian refugees, and almost as many again are expected. At this rate, Turkey’s migrant problem is set to become Europe’s
Silent strongman Sergey Shoigu is the real force behind Russia’s military aggression
Sergey Shoigu is the real force behind Putin’s military aggression
Obama’s failure is Putin’s opportunity
The principal strategic objective in the war on terror has been a failure. Ever since 9/11, the aim has been…
The caliphate strikes back
Isis could be on the brink of creating a terrifying new world order
Portrait of the week
Home Two groups were launched, one in favour of remaining in the European Union and the other in favour of…
Why Putin backs Assad
The West’s strategy on Syria is a complete shambles
Letters
Don’t write off Assad Sir: Ahmed Rashid refers to our ‘Arab allies’ supporting al-Qaeda (‘The plan to back al-Qaeda against…
Al-Qaeda could end up the big winners in Syria
Fear has driven the Arab states to support the West’s great enemy
High life
I have signed an affidavit for a hearing in the High Court stating that Janan Harb was, to my knowledge,…
From Beirut to Brighton
The long shadow of the Islamic State means that many Christians are packing up and leaving Lebanon
The good fight
It is a mark of the uncertainty of our policy in the Middle East that just over a year ago…
Good luck finding goodies and baddies in Iraq
If there’s a bright spot in the murky mess of Iraq, it’s that finally we have a war that it…
Portrait of the week
Home Nigel Evans, who had resigned as deputy speaker before being cleared of a bundle of rape and sexual assault…
When is a protest not a protest? When we decide to call it a revolution
It’s ages since I last went on a decent demo and had a bit of a dust-up with the pigs.…
Letters
Syrian matters Sir: Though Syria (Leading article, 31 August) is certainly no laughing matter, the turmoil prevailing over a ‘punitive…
A miniature civil war
Events in one Syrian town cast light on the nation’s strife
