Syria Conflict

Interim Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa appears in the Citadel of Aleppo in Syria, on May 27, 2025.

Syria holds first post‑Assad parliamentary vote: What to know

Syria’s first post-Assad parliamentary elections — with seats chosen by local committees rather than a public vote — spark backlash as the government postpones voting in Druze- and Kurdish-majority regions.

CENTCOM

Top US general discusses SDF integration with Sharaa in Damascus

The CENTCOM commander's involvement adds heft to US diplomatic requests as lawmakers float future defense ties between Washington and Damascus.

Syria

Syria claims Hezbollah cell plotting attacks arrested in Damascus: What we know

Syrian authorities have announced the arrest of a Hezbollah cell in Damascus.

His Excellency the President of the Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa, meets at the People's Palace in the capital, Damascus, with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak.

Russia sends second Syria delegation since Assad’s fall to safeguard military interests

Russia has been engaged with Syria’s new authorities as it seeks to maintain its presence and role in the region after the fall of its long-time ally, President Bashar al-Assad, last year.

Latest News

As youth unemployment nears 50%, can conscription ease Jordan's economic woes?

Jordanian soldiers stand guard near the "Gate of Peace" at the Jordan Valley site of Baqura, east of the Jordan River, on Nov. 13, 2019.

Exclusive

UK-based oil firm victim of standoff between Damascus, Syria’s Kurds

This picture shows pumpjacks in an oil field and smoke plumes rising in the background, following reported Turkish drone strikes near the town of al-Qahtaniyah in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, close to the border with Turkey, on Nov. 23, 2022.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syria seizes Captagon with Turkish backing amid drug trade boom

A member of the security forces with Syria's new government stands over pills of Captagon during a raid in Latakia on Jan. 19, 2025.

Syria exports first oil in 14 years after sanctions lifted: What to know

HUSSEIN FALEH/AFP via Getty Images

US raid kills senior ISIS official near Syria's border with Turkey

The US raid killed a senior ISIS official believed to be next in line for the group’s top leadership role, a US official said.

Sharaa Kobane

Analysis

Syria state media's Kurdish-language launch: tactical move or real shift?

SANA's foray into the Kurdish language is largely symbolic and part of Damascus’ efforts to project an image of compromise amid tense negotiations.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jordanian King Abdullah II receives Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Amman on Aug. 19, 2025.

Lebanon PM in Jordan as Beirut pushes Hezbollah disarmament, Iran’s influence wanes

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam headed to Jordan following a similar visit by President Joseph Aoun two months ago, as the two countries seek deeper ties.

Saudi Syria

Syria, Saudi Arabia sign mutual investments deal: What to know

The deal came during a Saudi-Syrian meeting in Riyadh that was held in continuation of the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum held in Damascus last month that saw the signing of 47 deals worth $6.4 billion.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM slams Fidan’s threats against Syria's SDF

As Ankara increasingly threatens the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the opposition People's Equality and Democracy Party warns that a potential Turkish military operation against the Kurdish-led group could disrupt the peace process at home.

Security forces loyal to the interim Syrian government stand guard at a checkpoint previously held by supporters of deposed president Bashar al-Assad, in the town of Hmeimim, in the coastal province of Latakia, on March 11, 2025.

UN: Syria's March violence saw ‘likely’ war crimes by Damascus, Assad remnants

The United Nations noted deliberate targeting of Alawite civilians in its report on the killings along the Syrian coast and called on the government to expand its efforts in taking steps toward accountability.

The new Syrian government's army fights the remaining elements of the Assad's regime on the Syrian coast near Latakia, Syria, on March 7, 2025.

After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training

The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say.

An aerial view shows a tank, left behind by regime forces, on the road leading to the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhun, in the northwestern Syrian Idlib province, on Dec. 1, 2024.

Explosion kills 4 in Syria’s Idlib: What to know

Syria remains littered with the waste of a Cold War arsenal and 14 years of civil war.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Will Turkey follow through on threats to attack Syria's Kurds?

This week we unpack the stakes around Ankara's threats to take military action alongside Damascus against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, right, meets with US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, in Baabda, east of Beirut, July 7, 2025.

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.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

turkey syria pact

Turkey, Syria ink defense cooperation deal as Ankara ups pressure on Kurdish-led SDF

The military agreement comes amid Ankara’s warnings to the Pentagon-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over their refusal to integrate into Syria’s army.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack meet in Amman on July 19, 2025.

Kurds, Damascus resume talks as Syria, Jordan FMs meet US envoy in Amman

The meeting aims to address growing unrest and political demands amid Syria’s fragile efforts to rebuild.