October 13, 2014 – Selection of Articles and Reports on Syrian Economic, Business and Social Issues

The following is a selection of articles and reports written in the last week on Syria, related to economic, business and social issues:

Self-funded and deep-rooted: How ISIS makes its millions: “Sources familiar with the subject say that ISIS’ “burn’ rate” — how much the group spends — is huge, including salaries, weapons and other expenses. For ISIS’ oil sales, sources told CNN, the group probably makes between $1 million and $2 million per day, but probably on the lower end.”

Syrians, Lebanese produce wine in ferment of war: “Saade said surprising Europeans with the provenance of his wine was part of his marketing strategy: “They are smiling when they discover that. It’s definitely a good surprise.””

Shadow Aid to Syrian Refugees: “Uncoordinated projects can overlap and even compete with the work of official charities, complicating the relief efforts of everyone. And yet the success of these informal aid groups reveals just how insufficient the UN-coordinated assistance has been.”

The environmental consequences of targeting Syria’s oil refineries: “The targeting of refineries has the potential to generate significant localised contamination, the risks to civilians and the environment from which will vary depending on local environmental conditions, land use and population density.”

Syria’s frail economy, before and after the revolution: “Should the regime fall, a series of Arab and international conferences are expected to be organized to examine the means of restoring security and stability to Syria and to start reconstruction projects in which Western and Arab countries would contribute as well as Syrian businessmen inside and outside the country.”

United Nations Ban on Trade in Syrian Antiquities Urged by Scholars: “Supporters of the ban say that Syria’s cultural heritage sites, already vulnerable since fighting between the government and opposition fighters erupted in 2011, now face additional threat from Islamic State militants, commonly known as ISIS.”