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. Syria
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. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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. Syria
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. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis In Azerbaijan, Syria’s Sharaa extends reach to South Caucasus, worries Iran By Emil Avdaliani
Can Turkey fit into the Biden administration’s Syria policy? The gnarliest problem: Pentagon report says Syrian, Iranian proxies are "most significant" threats to US mission, but the Islamic State isn’t dead yet, and Turkey and the United States still disagree on the Kurds. Syria
Does ‘Syrian trio’ of Russia, Iran and Turkey have a future? There are signs that the Astana talks on the Syrian war — which began in 2017 and are sponsored by Moscow, Ankara and Tehran — have little prospect of making progress going forward. Syria
Damascus scrambles for more control in southern Syria As the Russian-brokered Tafas agreement in the western countryside of Daraa between the Syrian regime and the Central Committee enters into force, the regime is now seeking to take over the towns outside its control in southern Syria before the upcoming 2021 presidential elections. Syria
Islamic State kills two dozen pro-regime fighters in Syria A firefight in the Deir ez-Zor desert is the latest sign of the Islamic State terror network's lingering presence. Syria
Syrian government, SDF trade accusations of violations of Russian-mediated cease-fire No sooner had an agreement been reached between the Syrian regime and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to lift the mutual sieges imposed in northeast Syria that accusations were traded about violations of the Russian-sponsored deal. Syria
Syrian Kurds hoping for lifeline from Biden administration Damascus, Ankara and Moscow turn up the heat on US-backed group; UN Syria envoy says, "We can’t continue like this." Syria
Why Assad is scaling down military readiness across Syria Due to the military budget deficit and in a bid to absorb the anger of loyalists and army soldiers, the Syrian regime decided to scale down the readiness of its army and armed forces. Syria
Russia uses regime-SDF tensions to expand presence in northeast Syria Syrian Democratic Forces continue to besiege the Syrian regime in Hasakah province in northeastern Syria, amid fears of an escalation between the two parties. Syria
Is Russia exploiting Iranian weakness in east Syria? Iranian forces are concerned about losing their influence and their members in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province in favor of the formations supported by Russia. Syria
Moscow stands to gain from Hamas-Damascus reconciliation While claims that Russia is playing a large role in reconciliation talks between the Palestinian movement Hamas and the Syrian regime may be overstated, Moscow could benefit in several ways if the two sides restore relations. Palestine
Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town Turkey has mobilized more forces in the vicinity of the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria, while the Free Syrian Army, an ally of Ankara, intensified its presence in that area amid an agreement between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Russia to ward off Turkey and its allies from the town. Syria
How Russia is preparing in Syria for Biden’s presidency Moscow is hoping the final months of outgoing President Donald Trump's presidency will allow it an opportunity to reinforce its positions in Syria. Syria
