Exclusive US troops in Syria's Kurdish northeast will remain in single base near Rmeilan oil fields The consolidation comes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel, heightening risks for remaining US forces. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey detains dozens of ISIS suspects in raids tied to Syria-based network A nationwide sweep targeted the group's financial and propaganda networks as Ankara steps up efforts to counter the jihadi extremist group in Syria. Turkey
Cryptocurrency giant Binance opens trading access to Syria: What to know Binance’s announcement comes after the United States and the European Union lifted most economic sanctions on Syria last month. Syria
Syria mandates burkinis for women at public beaches: What to know The decree has sparked concern that Syria’s new government could be veering toward a more strict Islamist governance system. Syria
Interview US believes Syria’s Sharaa at risk of assassination, Trump envoy says Tom Barrack US special envoy for Syria
Exclusive Trump to sign sweeping order rescinding Syria sanctions By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US readies strategy to target Syria’s Captagon trade In the coming weeks, the Biden administration will submit to Congress an interagency plan to tackle the Syrian regime's multi-billion-dollar drug business. Syria
Syria's Assad accuses France of 'hysteria' for calling to put him on trial Damascus is furious after French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said she thinks Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should stand trial for his role in the Syrian war. Syria
Syrian girls play soccer among ghosts of Islamic State Raqqa's first-ever girls' soccer team is blooming where Islamic State once terrorized the society. Syria
Intra-Kurdish tensions paralyze northeast Syria’s main border crossing Northeast Syria’s only external border crossing closed abruptly May 17 for an unknown period, disrupting trade, medical corridors and humanitarian access to the area. Syria
Qatar emir skips Assad's Arab League speech in Saudi Arabia The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt publicly praised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s participation in the summit after Syria was readmitted to the Arab League. Legacy: Gulf
LISTEN: Syrian Kurdish leader says Assad's return to Arab League welcome, but won't amount to much Co-chairman of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Salih Muslim speaks to Amberin Zaman for "On the Middle East" podcast about the latest efforts to re-integrate Damascus into the Arab fold and what that means for Syria's Kurds. Syria
Syria's Assad lands in Saudi Arabia seeking financial incentives at Arab summit Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, said the Jeddah summit will likely end with “nice promises” in front of the cameras but a different outcome in reality as normalization with Assad, overriding sanctions and the return of refugees face mounting hurdles. Saudi Arabia
US lawmakers unveil bill targeting normalization of Syria’s Assad The legislation would expand the list of sanctionable targets under the Caesar Act and require an interagency report on the administration's counter-normalization strategy. Syria
Saudi Arabia seizes 8 million Captagon pills as it courts Syria's Assad to clamp down The kingdom and Jordan both want Syria to help stop the flourishing drug trade as they seek normalization with the Assad government. Saudi Arabia
First Turkey-Syria FM meeting in Russia agrees to work on refugees, terrorism Ankara, for its part, stressed the need for cooperation on the return of Syrian refugees, the top Turkish diplomat said ahead of Turkey's crucial elections. Turkey
Islamic State claims Damascus car bomb as Assad invited to Saudi The Syrian President's formal invite to the upcoming Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia marks a shift in Riyadh's relations with Damascus. Syria
Iran FM in Russia to talk Syria-Turkey reconciliation while vowing to boost Assad's military Prior to the Moscow meeting, Tehran pledged readiness to equip Syria with the latest Iran-made weaponry, the shipment of which has been eased by the 2020 expiry of a UN arms embargo on the Islamic Republic. Iran
