About the Book
In just eleven blistering days, an intense rebel offensive shattered one of the world’s most entrenched regimes, overthrowing the sixty-year Baathist dictatorship and the Assad family’s grip on Syria. The speed of the collapse shocked observers. But this was no sudden fall. It marked the climax of a revolution fourteen years in the making, born of decades of repression and resistance. Syria now stands at the brink of something wholly new: uncertain, unprecedented and highly volatile.
The liberation triggered celebrations and a flowering of freedoms unseen for decades. But the cost has been staggering. So much blood has been spilled and the wounds are still raw. As Syrians face the future, urgent questions arise: Will the new government embrace justice and accountability? Can the past be reconciled, or will deep divisions, unresolved grievances and foreign aggression reignite the cycle of violence?
Blending analysis, reportage and on-the-ground interviews, this urgent and timely book captures a critical turning point in Syria’s history. In the new post-revolutionary landscape, it explores the tensions between chaos, authoritarianism and the hope for a strong, inclusive society. Robin Yassin-Kassab weaves personal narratives into broader historical and political context, offering a textured portrait of a nation on the cusp – one that faces both immense risk and revolutionary promise. The Blood Between Us asks: what kind of country will emerge from the ruins – and who will shape it?
Reviews
‘This is essential reading on Syria's transition, balancing granular detail with the broader picture of what the country's future means for the Middle East.’ Radwan Ziadeh, Senior Fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC
'The Blood Between Us is an invaluable account of Syria in the immediate aftermath of the Assad regime’s brutal dictatorship. Yassin-Kassab combines historical insight with first-hand observation to illuminate the formidable challenges the country faces as it seeks to rebuild within a volatile, war-scarred region.' Philip S Khoury, Ford International Professor of History, MIT
'Robin Yassin-Kassab delivers a lucid and compelling account of Syria’s ongoing struggle for change. Powerful and deeply informed, it bears witness to the courage and resilience of the Syrian people.’ Dr Bente Scheller, author of The Wisdom of Syria's Waiting Game
‘Robin Yassin-Kassab is unmatched in his knowledge, analysis and his passion.’ Janine di Giovanni, CNN author of The Morning They Came For Us
