Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria Istanbul, Turkey Please submit all media inquiries to media@crisisgroup.org or call +32 (0) 2 536 00 71 Crisis Group Role Dareen Khalifa is a Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group working on security, conflict, politics, and governance in Syria. Professional Background Dareen has 13 years of experience working on the Middle East, with a particular focus on sub-state armed group dynamics, local governance, and civil society. She has worked on the Syria conflict in a number of roles since 2013, most recently with the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), regularly traveling to Iraq and Syria to engage with various civilian and armed actors on initiatives to mitigate conflict. Dareen has an MA in Human Rights and Public Policy from University College London. Area of Expertise Sub-state armed group dynamics Local governance Civil society in Syria and the Middle East Selected Publications In addition to publishing numerous research outputs and policy reports for Kings College London, she has also published for the Washington Post among other outlets. Languages Arabic English In The News 21 Jan 2022 Jailbreaks and prison riots were a central component of IS resurgence in Iraq and are a serious threat in Syria today. France24 Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria 11 Jul 2021 Turkey can't afford economically or politically to absorb a new wave of refugees [from Syria]. AFP Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria 2 Jul 2021 Putting the lifeline of three million Syrians up for negotiations every six to 12 months, is an unsustainable situation. And Syrian civilians end up paying the price. The Guardian Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria 14 Mar 2021 La direction du mouvement [HTC en Syrie] s’efforce désormais de régler ces problèmes. La manière dont elle se comporte vis-à-vis des minorités est en train de changer. Le Monde Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria 8 Mar 2021 La meilleure des pires options qui se posent aujourd'hui [en Syrie], c'est une impasse prolongée. AFP Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria 26 Feb 2021 The [recent] U.S. [air strikes in Syria were] aimed at a relatively insignificant target in an area where Iran's hands are somewhat tied. AFP Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria Latest Updates Podcast / Middle East & North Africa 20 May 2022 Shades of Jihad in Syria This week on Hold Your Fire! Richard Atwood talks to experts Dareen Khalifa and Jerome Drevon about ISIS in Syria after the death of its leader Abdullah Qardash, the precarious calm that prevails across the country and the evolution of al-Qaeda’s former affiliate in the north west, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Commentary / Middle East & North Africa 14 April 2022 The Impact of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine in the Middle East and North Africa Spikes in prices of grain and fuel, with uncertain political reverberations, are the Ukraine war’s primary effect to date on Middle Eastern and North African countries. But diplomatic and military developments are important, too, as Crisis Group experts explain in this look around the region. Also available in العربية Q&A / Middle East & North Africa 4 February 2022 A Death In Idlib: The Killing of the Top ISIS Leader and Its Impact On 3 February, U.S. commandos raided a house in Syria’s Idlib province, killing Abdullah Qardash, head of the Islamic State’s core group in the Levant. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts Jerome Drevon and Dareen Khalifa explore the implications of the ISIS leader’s demise. Commentary / Jihad in Modern Conflict 27 October 2021 How Islamist Militants Elsewhere View the Taliban’s Victory in Afghanistan While Islamist insurgents around the world are inspired by the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the question of whether and how they will benefit as a result is more complicated, as Crisis Group experts explain in this 360-degree view. Commentary / Middle East & North Africa 3 February 2021 In Syria’s Idlib, Washington’s Chance to Reimagine Counter-terrorism The “terrorist” label affixed to Idlib’s strongest rebel group undermines a crucial ceasefire and blocks potential paths to avert a military showdown. It also reflects a gap in Western policy. Creative ideas from Washington could help break the impasse and set a useful precedent. Also available in العربية Load more