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
Turkish-US tension builds as Syria talks founder US national security adviser John Bolton left Ankara without a deal in hand that would protect Washington's allies from harm after the United States withdraws most of its troops from Syria. Syria
Rival fiefdoms emerge in scramble over Trump's Syria withdrawal Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton have offered different messages about President Donald Trump’s intentions for a Syria withdrawal. Israel
Iran, Russia remain skeptical about US exit from Syria, Afghanistan With the announcement of a US withdrawal from Syria, Iran and Russia can be expected to intensify their bilateral cooperation to achieve common interests rather than turn against each other. Syria
Can US Syria policy keep up with Trump? The US president will need assistance from Vladimir Putin, Mohammed bin Salman and even Bashar al-Assad to close the deal with Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Syria. Saudi Arabia
Intel: How Republicans are starting new Congress with rebuke of Trump’s Syria withdrawal The Republican-held Senate reconvened yesterday. Its first order of business? Rebuking President Donald Trump over his Syria policy. Syria
Ankara nurses hatred for McGurk Even now, after Brett McGurk resigned from his post as US envoy to the coalition against the Islamic State, Turkish officials are still seething with complaints about the man. Iraq
Turkish battle plan for Syria shaky despite Trump's promised pullout Turkey's initial satisfaction over the United States' abrupt Syria withdrawal announcement is being tempered by doubts over Washington’s true intentions and awareness of the obstacles that still remain to a Turkish incursion. Syria
Turkish army brass at odds over military operation in Syria The Turkish government’s removal of two key commanders from active duty has revealed the discord in the Turkish military over the planned military operation east of the Euphrates River. Syria
Trump signals possible flexibility on pace of Syria withdrawal President Donald Trump signaled possible flexibility in the pace of a US withdrawal from Syria, saying the United States would protect the Kurds. Syria
US-led coalition scrambles to realign Islamic State mission following Syria exit The global coalition is turning its attention to Iraq to avoid a resurgence of the Islamic State. Iraq
Ankara seeking Russian permission for use of Syrian airspace Ankara’s primary lesson learned from its two operations in northern Syria is not to enter Syria without air superiority. Syria
Putin’s next act: Syrian-Turkish rapprochement The Russian president still needs the United States to keep the pace, and the peace, in Syria. United Arab Emirates
