Russia in Syria

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa holds a joint press conference with the Turkish president following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on Feb. 4, 2025.

As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions

The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

Shibani and Lavrov

Analysis

Pragmatism outweighs animosity as Syrian, Russian FMs bargain at Kremlin

Despite deep-rooted tensions and clashing interests, Syria’s interim leadership and Russia are finding common ground in a mutually beneficial bid to preserve influence and stability after Assad’s fall.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani looks on as he leaves following a press conference and a meeting with French President at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 7, 2025. Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Paris on May 7, state media reported, on his first visit to Europe since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria FM heads to Russia in first high-level Moscow visit post Assad

As the new Syrian government looks to redefine its ties with Moscow, Russia aims to maintain its naval and air bases in Syria.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga (L) shakes hands with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Kyiv on July 23, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP) (Photo by TETIANA DZHAFAROVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli FM's Ukraine visit signals shift from Russia to anti-Iran alignment

Israel has urged Ukraine to join forces against what it estimates is a joint enemy — the Iranian government.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Latest News

Analysis

In Azerbaijan, Syria’s Sharaa extends reach to South Caucasus, worries Iran

Sharaa Baku

Emil Avdaliani

By Emil Avdaliani

Was Maher al-Assad, brother of ousted Syrian president, spotted in Moscow?

TO GO WITH STORY BY NATACHA YAZBECK (FILES) A picture dated June 13, 2003 shows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher (L) attending their father's funeral in Damascus on June 13, 2000. As Bashar al-Assad's regime fights to stay in power, one man has emerged as the symbol of the dynasty's brutal military might -- the president's feared younger brother Maher. AFP PHOTO/RAMZI HAIDAR / AFP PHOTO / RAMZI HAIDAR (Photo credit should read RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP via Getty Images)

3 killed in attack on Russia’s Hmeimim base in Syria: Monitor

A portrait of Russia's President Vladimir Putin hangs above next to a torn out one of the ousted Syrian president, as Russian soldiers stand guard at the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on December 29, 2024.

Russia, Turkey to hold talks as Moscow seeks to keep Syria military bases: What to know

AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shows the way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2015.

Putin stars in Israeli election campaigns

The diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Moscow offered opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu an angle for attacking Prime Minister Yair Lapid.

Putin Raisi

Why Iran-Russia relations likely won’t go beyond cooperation in Syria

Putin’s recent trip to Tehran was a PR win for the Russian president, but is unlikely to result in any further concessions for Iran.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (not pictured) inside Number 10 Downing Street, London, England, Nov. 23, 2021.

Israel rushes to de-escalate diplomatic crisis with Russia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is now trying to discreetly resolve the diplomatic dispute between Moscow and Jerusalem so that the Jewish Agency can continue its activities there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L), Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (C) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan returns empty-handed from talks with Putin, Raisi

Erdogan fails to enlist Russian and Iranian support for a fresh Turkish military operation in Syria, but he remains bent on maintaining the pressure.

Turkey military

Erdogan vows to move forward with Syria operation despite objections from Iran, Russia

Turkey’s president remains adamant despite opposition from US, Russia, Iran, Syria.

A Jewish Ukranian woman waves the Israeli flag as she disembarks from an aircaft carryng Jewish immigrants after fleeing the Russian invasion, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 6, 2022.

Israel concerned Russia may create obstacles to Jewish emigration

Two weeks after a letter to that effect, Jerusalem fears that Moscow is serious in its intention to shut down Jewish Agency activities of helping Jewish immigration to Israel.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: July 12, 2022, 11:32 am

UN Security Council extends Syria cross-border aid for six months

Aid agencies say the short-term extension puts more than 4 million Syrian lives on the line.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Russia vetoes UN measure renewing aid to northwest Syria

"People will die because of this vote," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said of the Security Council's failure to reauthorize the cross-border mechanism.

A Syrian woman with her child walks near a Syrian-bound truck loaded with humanitarian aid.

4 million Syrians on brink of starvation as UN aid mechanism draws to close

Millions of Syrians are helplessly waiting in desperation as UN aid entry into Syria draws to an end amid expectations that Russia will veto a resolution authorizing cross-border aid into the war-torn country.

A Turkish soldier mans a turret on an infantry fighting vehicle driving near the village of Yazi Bagh.

Why are Turkey’s allies fighting each other in Syria?

Turkey’s handling of recent clashes between allied groups in Syria has called its intention into question, with some arguing that the jihadi outfit controlling Idlib has gained a foothold in Afrin by using a Turkish-linked group as a Trojan horse.

Astana

Russia, Iran won't endorse Turkish military operation in Syria

At the latest Astana Group meeting on Syria, Russia and Iran tried to soothe Turkey by rejecting the Kurdish-led self-rule in northern Syria in a joint declaration this week.

A Turkish-backed Syrian rebel fighter holds a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

Kurdish, Syrian, Iranian forces coordinate ahead of Turkish operation

Kurdish units and Iranian-affiliated factions in Syria have formed a joint operations room under Russian supervision to counter a possible Turkish military operation in northern Syria.