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 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 5 Oct 2020 The people who have been released [from detention camps in Syria] are struggling to reintegrate, and the economic situation outside is already very bad. The Washington Post Dareen Khalifa Senior Analyst, Syria Latest Updates 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 Commentary / Middle East & North Africa 25 November 2020 The SDF Seeks a Path Toward Durable Stability in North East Syria A sudden U.S. troop pull-out from north east Syria could prompt a humanitarian crisis, an Islamic State resurgence and renewed conflict between Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces, especially its Kurdish component. The U.S. should commit to an eventual, gradual and conditional withdrawal that protects civilians. Q&A / Europe & Central Asia 29 February 2020 Deadly Clashes in Syria’s Idlib Show Limits of Turkey’s Options A deadly attack on Turkish forces in Syria has brought Idlib’s crisis to a dangerous crossroads. In this Q&A, Crisis Group’s Turkey, Syria and Russia experts explain what happened and what’s at stake. Commentary / Middle East & North Africa 20 February 2020 The Jihadist Factor in Syria’s Idlib: A Conversation with Abu Muhammad al-Jolani As a humanitarian disaster unfolds in Idlib, the last bastion of Syria’s Islamist rebels, the question is whether accommodation is possible between the militants and their foes. External actors should answer by gauging the insurgents’ ability to maintain calm and their sincerity about aiding civilians. Also available in العربية, Türkçe Op-Ed / Middle East & North Africa 18 September 2019 Are There Alternatives to a Military Victory in Idlib? Last weekend, the presidents of Turkey, Iran and Russia met in Ankara to discuss, among other things, the latest developments in Syria amid Turkish concerns over the consequences of a Syrian government offensive in the last rebel enclave, Idlib. Originally published in Valdai