Syria’s frozen conflict and a wave of earthquake-related diplomacy

Abstract

While the level of violence in the Syrian civil war has declined significantly since the 2013–17 peak and territorial lines of control are largely frozen, humanitarian suffering is at an all-time high. Meanwhile, the conflict’s regional and international political dynamics and alliances are shifting, with the Syrian government using the February 2023 earthquake affecting the north of the country, and related international-relief efforts, as an opportunity to attempt to reconnect diplomatically with other countries in the region.