Syria’s Shibani visits Latakia airport to review Russia deal progress: What to know Syria is seeking to ensure that the August deal to turn Russian facilities in the country into joint training centers is implemented. Syria
Lebanon charges 5 in alleged Hezbollah operation to train Assad loyalists A Lebanese military court has charged the five, including an Assad-era Syrian officer and Hezbollah members, with running a cross-border security network planning attacks in Syria’s coastal region. Lebanon
Former Assad official sentenced to 60 years in US for torture Samir Ousman Alsheikh was convicted by a jury in March of three counts of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud. Syria
Culture Syrian singer Assala returns to Damascus stage after 15-year exile The Syrian star, one of the Arab world’s most famous artists, had been in self-exile since 2011 after she openly supported the uprising against the since-ousted Assad government. Syria
Can Russia maintain status quo in Syria's Daraa despite Assad, Iran? The Russian-brokered cease-fire agreement is evidence of Moscow's complex positioning in southwest Syria. Russia
The Takeaway: Iranian foreign policy under Raisi takes shape Also: Shapiro appointment welcomed in Israel; Gantz meeting doesn’t help Abbas’ popularity; "Saudization" of labor gets slow start; Turkey’s targeted killings in Syria; Sextortion in Egypt; More … in about 1,300 words. Iran
Two killed in southern Syria explosion There have been a few unclaimed attacks in government-held parts of Syria recently. News Brief
Syrian security personnel killed in drive-by shooting Syrian government and rebel news outlets did not identify the perpetrators of the attack. News Brief
Are Syrian jihadis ready to take the fight to Afghanistan? Afghanistan revives terror challenges for Washington; Russia anticipates security vacuum; Erdogan senses an opportunity. Syria
As Syria’s foreign jihadis eye Afghanistan, new challenges arise for Moscow The potential that foreign fighters may move from Syria’s Idlib province to Afghanistan could pose major threats to Russia and its Central Asian allies. Russia
Turkey’s targeted killings signal new strategy against Syrian Kurdish forces A series of Turkish drone strikes targeting senior Kurdish figures in northeast Syria appears to be the prelude of an attrition strategy to further restrict the main Syrian Kurdish group in the region and hamper its autonomy project. Turkey
Protests against Turkish-backed local councils in northern Syria expand over bad services Protests in the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army areas in northern Syria broke out due to the deteriorating services offered by some local councils, including electricity provided by a Turkish power company. Syria
The Takeaway: Bennett has opening to sway Biden administration on Iran nuclear deal Also: Iran’s new foreign minister and Nasrallah; Syrian Islamist group cracks down in Idlib; TikTok finds audiences in Egypt, Gaza; Israel’s chocolate confiscation; and more … in about 1,500 words! Israel
Jihadi group in Syria’s Idlib faces criticism over unfair trials, death sentences Hayat Tahrir al-Sham issued death sentences against two young men who have been detained in the organization’s prisons on charges of collaborating with the US-led international coalition. Syria
Syrian jihadist group expands control in areas outside Idlib The government run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib imposed more measures to isolate its areas of influence in northwestern Syria. Syria
Syrian jihadis hail Taliban ‘conquest’ despite their own effort to rebrand The Taliban's rapid takeover of Afghanistan was widely welcomed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which offered sweets in the streets of Idlib. Syria
