A year on, uncertainty shadows Washington's bet on Syria The Trump administration has embraced Syria's new leadership, but engagement is being tested by security risks and unresolved questions about Damascus' control. Syria
Analysis In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syria's Shibani talks defense, economic ties with Russia's Putin during Moscow visit The visit is the second to Russia for Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra, and follows other signs of rapprochement. Syria
Germany makes first deportation to Syria since 2011: What to know There are roughly 1 million Syrians in Germany, most of whom fled there during the country’s civil war. Syria
Analysis Syrians relieved as Caesar sanctions lifted, but recovery may take time By Danny Makki In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture
Analysis After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Syria sends consul-general to Dubai UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus this week. News Brief
Syrian jihadist group mandates apologies, or imprisonment, for criticism Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls most of Idlib, enforces zero tolerance for critics. Syria
Backlash after Islamist group in Idlib taxes olive crops The HTS-affiliated Salvation Government imposed Islamic taxes on olive crops, thus worsening farmers’ plight amid the water scarcity and drought. Syria
Report documents Syrian regime detaining, killing health workers A new report from Physicians for Human Rights found that health care workers who provided care to injured protesters in the early days of the Syrian civil war were at increased risk of abuse by the government. Syria
UAE foreign minister meets Assad in Syria Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s stressed support for stability and the need to end the war during the visit, which the US State Department said it does not support. News Brief
Syrian Kurdish commander says Russia opposes further Turkish land grabs Mazlum Kobane, commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, also says Damascus is not yet ready for negotiations. Syria
Two soldiers in Syria injured by suspected Israeli airstrikes Israel has fired missiles in Syrian territory a few times in recent weeks, according to Syrian media. News Brief
Iranian business fair coming to Damascus Iran is a strong ally of Syria and has significant economic interests in the country. By Al-Monitor Staff
Why are Turkish-allied formations collapsing in Syria? Factions pulling out of the recently formed Syrian Liberation Front raise questions about the future of Turkish-backed rebel groups. Syria
Egypt intensifies efforts to bring Syria back into Arab fold Cairo says efforts are also aimed at helping end the Syria crisis. Egypt
Iraq's elections weaken PKK in Sinjar Iraq's October elections may have strengthened the Iraqi Kurdistan administration's hands in the Yazidi enclave of Sinjar. Turkey
Iran presumed behind attack on US outpost in eastern Syria Drones that targeted US forces in the Syrian desert in late October were allegedly Iranian. Iraq
