New deal reduces Russia’s military presence in Syria: What to know Under a deal announced by Syria, Russia’s military facilities would be turned into joint training centers. Syria
Russia names Dmitry Dogadkin new ambassador to Syria amid thaw: What to know The appointment of the new ambassador, who previously served as Russia’s envoy to Qatar, comes as Moscow recalibrates its ties with the new Syrian authorities to maintain its strategic foothold in the Mediterranean country. Syria
Russia in talks on 'reformatting' its military sites in Syria: What to know Moscow signals it wants to maintain its presence in Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently said that Russian bases will be converted into training centers. Syria
Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port. Israel
Analysis Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iran says Ukraine failed to prove drone claims Tehran continued to dig in heels over deliveries of Iranian drones to Russia and accused Ukraine of making "baseless" claims. Iran
Russian delegation heads to Turkey amid potential Syria offensive The top Turkish diplomat aired a rare complaint over the Russian stalling of constitutional talks between the warring Syrian actors, calling on Moscow to allow the process to resume. Turkey
The Turkey Briefing: Can Ankara convince Moscow to grant green light for Syria invasion? In this week's newsletter, Ezgi Akin rounds up the top stories from Turkey. Turkey
Analysis Turkey’s leveraging of Syria, Ukraine crises frustrates US, Europe Erdogan disregards appeals by US for restraint in Syria and demands further concessions from Stockholm for agreeing to Sweden’s NATO admission. By Week in Review
Could Syrian Kurdish issue facilitate Erdogan-Assad rapprochement? Damascus’ low-key reaction to Turkey’s recent strikes on Syrian Kurdish targets suggests it might acquiesce to Turkish military moves that would contribute to ending the US military presence in the north. Turkey
Erdogan says meeting with Syria's Assad is 'possible' The Turkish president adds that "there is no resentment or bitterness in politics." Turkey
Turkey turns up pressure on allies in Syria Turkey is using the jihadis’ march into Afrin to push its rebel allies in Syria to reorganize as a coherent, disciplined force. But what happens next if the factions fail to do so by the reported year-end deadline? Turkey
Netanyahu pressed on supplying weapons to Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu for winning the November elections, but this might not be enough to convince him to supply weapons to Kyiv. Israel
Military assistance to Ukraine becomes Israeli electoral issue Human rights activist and former Israeli minister Nathan Sharansky met last week in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and apologized for being the first Israeli official to come. Israel
Ukraine's Zelenskyy calls on Israel to act against Russia-Iran alliance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Israel to take action against the emerging Russia-Iran alliance and supply his country with missile defense systems. Israel
Chechen fighters leave Syria to battle Russians in Ukraine Abdul Hakim al-Shishani, a veteran of the Chechen-Russian war in the 1990s and commander of the Ajnad al-Kavkaz group fighting Syrian government forces in Latakia, arrived in Ukraine with a group of Chechen fighters to battle Russian forces. Syria
Syrian government retaliates for killing of soldiers by Islamic State The Syrian government and Russia accused the Islamic State of blowing up a troop bus of the Syrian army’s Fourth Division in its main headquarters near Damascus. Syria
