Syria Conflict

An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank crosses the barbed-wire fence into the UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights near the UN Quneitra checkpoint on March 2, 2025.

Analysis

Fragile optimism over Turkey-Israel deconfliction talks in Syria: What to know

As Turkey and Israel seek a better understanding of each other’s positions in Syria, deconfliction talks aim to prevent clashes but offer little hope for broader reconciliation.

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

Jared Szuba

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist , Jared Szuba

Sharaa MBZ UAE

Analysis

With Sharaa's visit, UAE opens door to post-Assad Syria, but how far will it go?

Does renewed contact between the United Arab Emirates and Syria signal a deeper political alignment or a cautious attempt to manage regional dynamics without fully endorsing the new Syrian order?

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Women are seen walking at the Roj Camp in northeast Syria, on April 8, 2025.

Exclusive

Syria's Kurds say Trump aid cuts are feeding radicalism in ISIS camps

In an interview at Syria’s Roj camp, the head of intelligence for the Women’s Protection Units warns that US funding cuts are fueling a resurgence of ISIS ideology among detained women and children, deepening an already volatile security crisis.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US forces patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Sept. 3, 2024.

US weighs plans to slash troop presence in Syria by more than half

Fewer than 1,000 US troops could remain in the country in order to retain limited oversight of ISIS prisons controlled by Kurdish-led forces across the country’s northeast, according to officials briefed on the latest plans.

Latest News

Analysis

Can Trump prevent Israel, Turkey from clashing in Syria?

Israeli tanks take position near the fence with the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from the rest of Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams on Dec. 8, 2024.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Fidan says Turkey-Israel deconfliction talks over Syria underway: What to know

An Israeli military tank moves to a position during a drill in the annexed Golan Heights on November 9, 2023, amid increasing cross-border tensions between Hezbollah and Israel as fighting continues in the south with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

Syrian Jews urge US sanctions relief to revive ancient community

Yusuf Hamra

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Analysis

Israel expanding Syria operations: Buffer zone or open-ended campaign?

An Israeli soldier checks a Merkava battle tank deployed at a position in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria on March 25, 2025.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A fighter affiliated with Syria's new administration gestures with his rifle in Syria's western coastal city of Latakia on December 26, 2024. Syria's new authorities launched an operation in a stronghold of ousted president Bashar al-Assad on December 26, with a war monitor saying three gunmen affiliated with the former government were killed, a day after angry protests erupted in several areas around Syria over a video showing an attack on an Alawite shrine that circulated online. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / A

Feature

As sectarian tensions rise, what future awaits Syria's Alawite community?

In post-Assad Syria, the Alawite community, long associated with the fallen regime, faces deepening insecurity and sectarian anxiety.

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Syrians living in Turkey carry their belongings towards the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria after after Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 13, 2024 in Cilvegozu, Turkey.

Analysis

As Turkey eases ban, Syrian refugees can now visit before deciding to return

Turkey is allowing one adult per Syrian family to return after visiting their homeland, but experts warn that easing restrictions may not lead to significant refugee returns amid ongoing uncertainties in Syria.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

TOPSHOT - Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati waves from the stage next to Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the Atreju political meeting organised by the young militants of Italian right wing party Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) on December 14, 2024 in Rome. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's Mikati set to meet Sharaa in Syria in wake of Aoun's election

Najib Mikati’s visit, the first in 15 years, comes amid pressure in Lebanon to release Islamists imprisoned during the civil war and just after the election of President Joseph Aoun.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed reiterated the UAE's firm position in safeguarding Syria's unity and sovereignty during talks with Asaad Al Shibani, Syrian Foreign Minister, in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Wam

Analysis

Despite aversion to Islamism, UAE slowly embraces change in Syria

Abu Dhabi is adjusting to the idea of a more Islamist governance in Syria as it cautiously navigates the new reality after Assad's fall and a growing influence for Turkey.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (R) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Jan. 8, 2024.

Khamenei pushes for US withdrawal from Iraq in meeting with Sudani

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s trip to Tehran is his first since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and comes ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

US President Donald Trump and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) take part in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 13, 2019. President Donald Trump greeted his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House for a high-stakes meeting Wednesday that underlined his claim to be ignoring the impeachment drama unfolding simultaneously in Congress. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

As Trump praises Erdogan, Turkey says ready to take control of ISIS prisons in Syria

The top Turkish diplomat said Turkey is prepared to take control of the Islamic State detainee camps as he downplayed Israeli support for the Syrian Democratic Forces.

US army soldiers queue to board a plane to begin their journey home out of Iraq from the Ain al-Asad Air Base west of the capital, Baghdad, on Nov. 1, 2011.

Exclusive

Syria's new Islamist rulers reduce Iraq's appetite for US troop withdrawal

Iraq's prime minister is heading to Iran to discuss concerns about Syria's new rulers, as Baghdad is considering the delay of the US troop withdrawal to address regional instability.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walks to welcome France's president (not pictured) ahead of their meeting in Riyadh, on Dec. 2, 2024.

Analysis

In Syria outreach, Saudi Arabia eyes regional realignment against Iran

By taking the lead in hosting Syria's new foreign minister, Riyadh is eyeing strategic opportunity to fill the US void, counter Iran’s waning influence and stabilize ties with Damascus through aid, partnerships and engagement with Islamist factions.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Forces loyal to the new Syrian government gather in the town of Busra in Syria's southern Daraa province, on Jan. 5, 2025.

Wave of instability hits Syria’s Daraa in challenge to al-Shara'a: What we know

Syrian security forces deployed to the south recently following clashes involving a commander who reportedly served ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

The US Treasury Department building is seen in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2023.

US unveils Syria sanctions exemption to bolster aid relief

The Biden administration stopped short of lifting the sweeping sanctions meant to punish the Assad regime.

A Turkish Jandarma armored vehicle drives toward the entrance to the Turkish Aerospace Industries facility following an attack on Oct. 23, 2024 in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Turkey’s dual Syria security strategy: rebuilding army, tackling SDF

As it gains upper hand in Syria, Turkey will capitalize on its leverage to build a new army and push for dissolution of the PKK.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel's covert Syria operation signals planning for potential Iran strike

Israel has released details on its daring September commando operation in Syria in a message to Tehran that it is willing and able to do the same in Iran, with or without US participation.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense