Analysis Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Senate defense spending bill would restrict US troop drawdown from Syria Washington plans to zero out stipends for Iraqi Kurdistan’s peshmerga forces but will continue funding Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces through 2026. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Kurdish militants return abducted Turkish agents as fragile peace push continues The handover is seen as a confidence-building measure, as Erdogan seeks a deal with militants to secure Kurdish support for extending his presidency beyond 2028. Turkey
Analysis Can Turkey dismantle PKK, push SDF integration while rewriting rules in Syria? Ankara hopes for the PKK's disarmament and the SDF's integration under Damascus, but skepticism and risks remain. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Emboldened by Suwayda fallout, Syria’s Kurds hold their ground with Damascus By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear talks resume next week — What you need to know Turkish lira crisis hits Syria; Saudi, Syrian intel chiefs talk; Netflix drama evokes memories for Izmir’s Jews; Oman bets on logistics; Egypt, Tanzania deepen ties; Gaza’s women skateboarders — all in less than 1,500 words. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Syrian Kurdish commander says Russia opposes further Turkish land grabs Mazlum Kobane, commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, also says Damascus is not yet ready for negotiations. Syria
Iraq's elections weaken PKK in Sinjar Iraq's October elections may have strengthened the Iraqi Kurdistan administration's hands in the Yazidi enclave of Sinjar. Turkey
Turkey’s parliament votes to extend mandate for troops in Iraq, Syria The main opposition CHP announced an hour before the session that it would vote against the motion. Turkey
Iraq's election results put militias between rock and hard place Political parties affiliated with Iraqi militias faced significant defeat, while their ally Nouri al-Maliki earned a remarkable victory. Iraq
Ankara hints at new Syria operation after spate of attacks near border Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the nation “would do what is necessary” to clear Syrian border areas of Kurdish militants after missile attacks killed two Turkish police officers Sunday. Turkey
Syrian opposition chief: US sanctions a deterrent for Turkish proxy fighters During an interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian National Coalition President Salem al-Meslet discussed recent US sanctions on Ahrar al-Sharqiya, the human rights situation in northern Syria and the US military presence in the war-torn country. Syria
Syrian Kurds, opposition take cases to Washington Delegations from Kurdish-held northeast Syria and the Turkey-backed Syrian National Coalition will meet separately with US officials this week. Syria
Iranian security official tells Iraq to expel Iranian Kurdish groups Iranian officials have been criticizing Kurdish parties from Iran who have a presence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where they are regularly targeted by the Iranian military. Iran
Iraqi PM vows to fix Kirkuk security issues after gruesome Islamic State attack Following an Islamic State attack in which over a dozen Iraqi policemen were killed, the prime minister criticized military leaders’ “shortcomings” and pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, counterterrorism operations continue in the same disputed province to prevent further attacks. Iraq
Syrian Kurdish parties feel abandoned by US in wake of Turkish-backed attack Turkey stepped up its attacks against Kurds in Syria, which raised concerns among the Kurdish forces over the US and Russian roles. Syria
