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
Turkey's Erdogan seeking a meeting with Assad and Putin In a reversal, Erdogan wants Russia to set-up a three-way meeting with Bashar Al-Assad, ten years after Ankara calling for his removal from power Turkey
US, Russia stall Turkey's ground operation, but Kurdish gains under threat The Russian and US policies of appeasing Turkey have averted a new Turkish ground operation in Syria for now, but they both lay the ground for a gradual undoing of Kurdish gains in the north. Turkey
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
