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Growing and Belonging as a Nation: Subnational Narratives in Children’s Magazines during the Syrian Civil War

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2026

Zelie Alvernhe Barton
Zelie Alvernhe Barton*
Affiliation:
International Affairs, St Edward’s University , United States
*
Email: z.alvernhe04@gmail.com
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Abstract

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Information

Type
Middle East Studies in Action
Information
Review of Middle East Studies , Volume 60 , Issue 1 , June 2026 , pp. 89
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Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Middle East Studies Association of North America

Figure 1
A research poster titled Growing and Belonging as a Nation by Zelie Alvernhe Barton from St. Edward's University. It analyzes subnational narratives in Syrian children's magazines during the Civil War. See long description.
Figure 1 Long description

The poster is organized into several distinct sections on a white and dark blue background.

Header: At the top left is the name Zelie Alvernhe Barton. The center title reads GROWING AND BELONGING AS A NATION in large white block letters, with the subtitle Subnational narratives in children's magazines during the Syrian Civil War below it. The top right identifies St. Edward's University, Austin T X.

Top Row (Three Columns):

1. INTRODUCTION: Explores publications of non-state Syrian opposition groups to understand their visions for a post-Assad state.

2. OBJECTIVE: Observes how these groups reshape the Syrian state by downplaying sectarian media through nationalist discourses.

3. RELATED LITERATURE: References Rogers Brubaker, Stella Ting-Toomey, Haddad, Philips, Maddy-Weitzman, and Makdisi.

Middle Row (Two Columns and a Large Panel):

1. METHODOLOGY: Uses identity negotiation theory and discursive analysis of four Syrian children's magazines from an archive called ar.syrianprints.

2. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Notes that groups deploy nationalist rhetoric to downplay sectarian divisions, with variations based on regional origin.

3. EXAMPLES OF SOURCES: Displays four colorful magazine pages with Arabic text and illustrations. Labels include Samana Mag, Issue 6, 01/01/2015; Jasmine Collar, Issue 3, 03/15/2012; Boat, Issue 16, 03/20/2015; and Paper Plane, Issue 2, 03/24/2013.

Bottom Row:

CONCLUSION: Summarizes that the research proves the expression of a heritage of the ecumenical frame intertwined with Western ideas of democracy, encouraging further study of regional differences.

Figure 0

Figure 1 Figure 1 long description.