Seven years of war, displacement and destruction have redefined social and political relations in Syria. Intermediaries�the influential social actors connecting individuals and local communities with outside authorities�play an important role in establishing and maintaining political order and in facilitating communication, negotiation, and resource flows. In some cases, intermediaries and state authorities are mutual beneficiaries at the cost of average Syrians; in others, they protect and advocate for local populations, while in still other situations, they are sidelined by new actors emerging during the conflict. By tracking intermediaries� evolving role, this volume of essays demonstrates how some ties were shattered by conflict, which legacies of pre-2011 rule persist, and how they are being redefined and used in new ways. These power relations and alliances will shape the country�s post-war governance and socio-political order.