Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict. Syria
Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border. Turkey
Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks President Trump said the second meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese envoys went "very well." Lebanon
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
In shadow of COVID-19, US-led battle against Islamic State continues A Pentagon report declares the Islamic State a "low-level insurgency" as the United States and Iraq prepare for strategic dialogue. Iraq
Islamic State believed behind crop fires in Iraq's disputed territories The Islamic State is suspected of once again setting fire to farmland in the disputed Iraqi-Kurdish territories. Iraq
Intel: US sanctions squeezing Iranian forces in Syria, says US envoy Cash-strapped Iran is reining in some of its forces in Syria as a result of American sanctions, US envoy James Jeffrey said today. Syria
Intel: Iraq’s Peshmerga Ministry pushes for joint security talks with Baghdad The Peshmerga Ministry of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region said it will send a delegation to Baghdad to discuss security cooperation and the situation in the disputed territories. Iraq
Press freedom watchdog criticizes suspension of Kurdish reporter in northeast Syria Rudaw's Vivian Fatah was suspended because she did not describe Kurdish fighters who had been killed in Syria as martyrs. Iraq
Iraqi-Syrian desert border area key amid geopolitical tensions Recent security incidents indicate that the Islamic State continues to operate in the Iraqi-Syrian border area despite reduced capabilities. Iraq
Pentagon waiting out coronavirus to invite allies back to Iraq The US commander of Operation Inherent Resolve hopes allied forces will return to Iraq once the COVID-19 crisis subsides. Iraq
Civilian killings in Syria are a ‘ticking time bomb,’ UN commissioner says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned of a "ticking time bomb" in Syria amid an uptick of civilian attacks and human rights violations. Syria
Kurdish and coalition forces target Islamic State in eastern Syria The operation comes at a time of recent IS attacks in Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Islamic State prison riot underscores fragile security in northeast Syria The issue of what to do with Islamic State prisoners in northeast Syria continues to be a nagging problem. Syria
Egypt says IS militants killed in Sinai following attack Egypt said Sunday that it killed the IS militants in a gunfight in Sinai following an IS-claimed attack there last week. Egypt
Islamic State carries out attacks across Iraq, including near Baghdad The Islamic State hits Iraqi security forces across the country May 2 and 3, including ones relatively close to the capital. Iraq
