Author Archive

Jesse Marks

Jesse Marks, a Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellow at the nonpartisan Stimson Center, researches civilian protection, stabilization, and peace-building in the Middle East. He has worked with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and the Jordan Center for Strategic Studies in Amman, Jordan.
Ideas

In the Competition over Syria's Reconstruction, China Is the Likely Winner

Beijing sees a double opportunity in rebuilding the wartorn country: to extend its new Silk Road and expand its economic and political influence westward.

Ideas

The Right Way to Confront Iran in Syria

A careful diplomatic approach to Russia’s safe-zone plan is less risky, and more promising, than direct action

Threats

What Syrian-Peace Negotiators in Geneva Must Learn from Russia

Unless this latest round acknowledges battlefield reality, the UN-sponsored talks will continue their slide into irrelevance.

Ideas

Can Russian Safe Zones Solve Syria?

If a potential negotiated solution to the Syrian conflict exists, something in the spirit of Russia’s plan for decentralization and ceasefires might be it.