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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Sep 3

Should Syria grant citizenship to foreign fighters? For @washinstitute.bsky.social I discuss how any proposal for granting citizenship must addresses complexities (external security threats, Syria’s stability, & the post-Assad accountability process). www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...

Syrian Citizenship for Foreign Fighters? U.S. Red Lines and Nuances

Any proposal for granting citizenship to such fighters must be careful, clear, and firm in how it addresses various complexities, including international concerns about external security threats, Syri...

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Reposted by Devorah Margolin

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · Aug 21

Syria today is drastically different than it has been in the past.
In a video published in March, @devorahmargolin.bsky.social explains the dangers and opportunities in breaking down the detention camps like al-Hol and returning detainees to their homes. Transcript is now available:

Hope for al-Hol? The Syria Breakdown, Episode Six

Does Syria's transition away from Assad regime tyranny offer hope for closing detention camps, which have been home to thousands of internally displaced persons and Islamic State supporters?

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Reposted by Devorah Margolin

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · Aug 28

Foreign fighters who remain in Syria can be categorized in three large groups. Any proposal for granting citizenship to such fighters must be crystal clear on the red lines and plans for this process, writes @devorahmargolin.bsky.social.

Syrian Citizenship for Foreign Fighters? U.S. Red Lines and Nuances

Any proposal for granting citizenship to such fighters must be careful, clear, and firm in how it addresses various complexities, including international concerns about external security threats, Syri...

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 30

NEW: The first US repatriation from NE Syria since May 2024 (now the US has repatriated 52 citizens since 2019) www.state.gov/releases/off...

Repatriation of Unaccompanied U.S. Citizen Minor from Northeast Syria - United States Department of State

Last week the United States repatriated a U.S. citizen minor from a displaced persons camp in northeast Syria for unification with the child’s family. We thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U....

www.state.gov

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 24

Anti-ISIS Mission: Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve transfers command to Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Lambert www.inherentresolve.mil/NEWSROOM/New...

www.inherentresolve.mil

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 23

Reuters: "US envoy urges Syria's Sharaa to revise policy or risk fragmentation" www.reuters.com/world/middle...

US envoy urges Syria's Sharaa to revise policy or risk fragmentation

A U.S. envoy has urged Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to recalibrate his policies and embrace a more inclusive approach after a new round of sectarian bloodshed last week, or risk losing international support and fragmenting the country.

www.reuters.com

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 22

"Montreal woman who joined ISIS as a teen convicted of aiding a terrorist group" www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Montreal woman who joined ISIS as a teen convicted of aiding a terrorist group | CBC News

Oumaima Chouay, who fled her home in Montreal nearly a decade ago to join ISIS in Syria, is the first person in Canada convicted for providing family support to a terrorist entity as a spouse.

www.cbc.ca

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 18

Hamas at a Crossroads by Ehud Yaari
jstribune.com/yaari-hamas-...

Hamas at a Crossroads – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

Essays – Today’s Hamas is a very different organization from the one we knew from its formal establishment in December 1987 through its surprise attack on Israel

jstribune.com

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 17

Conceding America's soft power, this is going to have devastating consequences - NYT: "Senate Approves Trump’s Bid to Cancel Foreign Aid and Public Broadcast Funds" www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/u...

Senate Approves Trump’s Bid to Cancel Foreign Aid and Public Broadcast Funds

www.nytimes.com

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 14

Barrack “So there’s a big sentiment that because [SDF] were our partners, we owe them. The question is what do we owe them. We don’t owe them the ability to have their own independent government within a government.” www.state.gov/briefings-fo...

Strengthening U.S.-Türkiye Relations and Advancing Relations with Syria - United States Department of State

Downloadable video and photos of this briefing for use in reporting can be found here: Video- https://vimeo.com/1100727185 Photos- https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCmey2 NEW YORK FOREIGN PRESS CENTER, 799 UN...

www.state.gov

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 11

Important as US funding for these programs winds down: "Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service and the Ministry of Migration and Displacement signed a cooperation agreement to coordinate the rehabilitation and reintegration of citizens returning from displacement camps in Syria" shafaq.com/en/Security/...

Iraq signs reintegration pact for returnees from Syria - Shafaq News

Shafaq News – Baghdad On Friday, Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) and the Ministry of Migration and Displacement signed a cooperation agreement to coordinate the rehabilitation and reintegrat

shafaq.com

Reposted by Devorah Margolin

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · Jul 9

Tune in on Thursday at 3pm ET for a conversation with Rime Allaf, Ehud Yaari, @azelin.bsky.social, Andrew Tabler on the prospects of cooperation between Israel and the new Syrian government. @devorahmargolin.bsky.social will moderate.

Pursuing Israel-Syria Detente Post-Assad

Join us for an expert conversation examining the prospects of cooperation between Israel and the new Syrian government. Watch live starting at 3:00 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT) on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 10

SDF continues to arrest male "ISIS leaders" in al-Hol camp, which primarily holds women and minors: hawarnews.com/en/syrian-de...

Syrian Democratic Forces arrest two ISIS leaders in al-Hol camp

The Syrian Democratic Forces announced that they had carried out a security operation in al-Hol camp, resulting in the arrest of two leaders of ISIS mercenary cells.

hawarnews.com

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 10

AP: "Syria’s government and Kurds still at odds over merging forces after latest talks, US envoy says" apnews.com/article/syri...

Syria’s government and Kurds still at odds over merging forces after latest talks, US envoy says

A U.S. envoy says that Syria’s central government and the Kurds remain at odds over plans on merging their forces after the latest round of talks. U.S.

apnews.com

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 9

"SDF leader, Syria’s al-Sharaa meet in presence of US envoy" english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-...

SDF leader, Syria’s al-Sharaa meet in presence of US envoy

A Kurdish military commander met with Syria’s leader in Damascus on Wednesday in the presence of a US envoy to discuss stalled efforts to integrate the

english.alarabiya.net

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jul 7

“Deal reached for twice-monthly return of Iraqi families from al-Hol camp”
shafaq.com/en/Security/...

Deal reached for twice-monthly return of Iraqi families from al-Hol camp - Shafaq News

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Damascus Iraq and the Kurdish-run autonomous administration in northeast Syria have agreed to resume the return for Iraqis at al-Hol camp, scheduling two voluntary trips each mo

shafaq.com

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 27

New piece with Noam Raydan for @washinstitute.bsky.social "Redefining and Strengthening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship Through Energy and Security" www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...

Redefining and Strengthening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship Through Energy and Security

Iraq is more stable than it has been in decades but still faces enormous security and energy challenges, including the risk of spillover from Iran-Israel hostilities, dependence on unreliable Iranian ...

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 27

"Yazidi young man rescued 11 years after ISIS captivity" - 'As of now, nearly 2,600 Yazidis remain missing, according to the Office of Rescuing Abducted Yazidis' www.rudaw.net/english/midd...

www.rudaw.net

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Reposted by Devorah Margolin

Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · Jun 24

Is the Islamic Republic Starting to Crack? The Signs to Watch www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @hdagres.bsky.social @washinstitute.bsky.social

Is the Islamic Republic Starting to Crack? The Signs to Watch

Although the crisis has not yet checked all the boxes that would signal fatal regime vulnerability, the situation could change quickly due to shifting conditions on the battlefield, on the streets, or...

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 24

"Ansar al-Sunna" claims responsibility for St. Elias Church bombing, threatens more www.hawarnews.com/en/ansar-al-...

"Ansar al-Sunna" claims responsibility for St. Elias Church bombing, threatens more - ANHA

The "Saraya Ansar al-Sunna" group has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that took place inside the St. Elias Church in Damascus, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens.

www.hawarnews.com

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 23

Syrian Kurds deny plans to transfer ISIS camp control to Damascus www.rudaw.net/english/midd...

www.rudaw.net

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 23

Approximately 1,000 Iraqis depart from al-Hol Camp, are repatriated back to Iraq: hawarnews.com/en/about-100...

About 1,000 Iraqis depart from al-Hol Camp, going back to their country

Yesterday, 239 Iraqi families consisting of 944 individuals left al-Hol Camp in Hasakah countryside and went back to Iraqi soil.

hawarnews.com

Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 18

If you want to learn more about joining this first cohort of students, check out: publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/master-middl...

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 18

WSJ: A New Hope for Middle Eastern Studies
Pepperdine (@pepperdine.bsky.social) and the Washington Institute (@washinstitute.bsky.social) try to salvage the field. www.wsj.com/opinion/pepp...

Opinion | A New Hope for Middle Eastern Studies

Pepperdine and the Washington Institute try to salvage the field.

www.wsj.com

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Devorah Margolin @devorahmargolin.bsky.social · Jun 17

Reuters Exclusive: US pulls out of two more bases in Syria, worrying Kurdish forces www.reuters.com/business/med...

reuters.com

www.reuters.com

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