Maysaloon, a longtime blogger who defines himself as ‘a Syrian Arab, emphasis on Arab,’ has adapted his views on his home country over the years, demonstrating an intellectual honesty not always seen in the blogosphere. His nuanced views are enhanced by his beautiful writing style. Sample post: “Nobody Above Criticism”
The Revolting Syrian is a newer blog that tells individual stories through videos and images (warning: they’re often graphic), and includes selective re-postings of content from other websites. The blog serves as excellent documentation of the tragedies occurring throughout the embattled country, from the opposition perspective. Sample post: “For Syrians, Frustration Over Outrage About Film, Not Assad’s Horrors”
Syria Comment is written by American academic Joshua Landis and does not take clear sides in the Syrian conflict. It instead presents views and analysis from all over. Though Landis’s relative neutrality irked some Syrian opposition activists, the blog provides a wealth of insights, guest posts, and news roundups.
Razan, One of several popular activists approaches the conflict with a sense of artistry, posting her own poems as well as thoughtful pieces on recent events on her blog, RazanSpeaks. Sample post: “My Brother, a free Syrian Soldier”
Syria News Wire has been a must-read for news on Syria since 2005. A combination of news roundups and original commentary, the blog provides a view into Syria from a true expert on the country and region. Sample post: “A year in revolt”
Jadaliyya, the blog that accompanies the academic Arab Studies Journal, offers Syria coverage with a range of posts from academics, observers, and bloggers. Sample post: “The Idiot's Guide to Fighting Dictatorship in Syria While Opposing Military Intervention”
Razan Ghazzawi’s blog provides a range of content, from information on political prisoners to collections of art in support of the Syrian revolution. An opposition activist based in Damascus, Ghazzawi has been imprisoned twice in the past year, but continues to blog under her real name. Sample post: “Blogging Live from Midan Neighborhood in Damascus”
For those looking for detailed information and stats from the opposition, look no further than the blog of the Local Coordination Committees. The site provides daily updates on demonstrations, the countrywide death toll, and other vital information.
Another of the old guard of Syrian bloggers, Levantine Dreamhouse is written from abroad with a view into Syria by a blogger who describes himself as “straddling two worlds but feeling comfortable in neither” and was named one of openDemocracy’s Best of Arab Blogs in 2011. Sample post: “Mourning in Silence”
Global Voices, “an international community of bloggers who report on blogs and citizen media from around the world,” is a great resource for finding additional blogs — or merely choice quotes from bloggers — on Syria.*
*Note: Jillian C. York is on the board of this organization.
SyPlanet is the Syrian blog aggregator. Founded with the goal of serving as a “community portal for member bloggers to interact with one another, discuss pressing issues, and arrange events,” the site has taken a clear stance on the uprising by displaying an image calling for an end to the killing of peaceful protestors. Still, it includes blogs with differing views in its roundup.
From the political blogs to the more artistic, the Syrian blogosphere has always been a creative and deeply political space, divided along linguistic and even religious lines. Jillian C. York curates a sample of active Syrian blogs that showcase the diversity of opinions about the ongoing conflict.
