Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Syria to rejoin Arab group at IMF, leaving Russian-led constituency Syria will rejoin the Arab constituency at the International Monetary Fund beginning Nov. 1 and has applied for membership in the EBRD. Syria
Explainer Syria arrests Mihrac Ural, ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey The Turkey-born militia chief and a longtime ally of the Assad-regime, was sought by Ankara over the deadly Reyhanli bombings and by Damascus over his alleged role in massacres on the Mediterranean coast. Turkey
In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa It is the first publicly disclosed contact between the leaders of Israel and Syria, which lack formal relations and have fought several wars. Sharaa’s government began US-mediated talks with Israel in 2025. Syria
Analysis Why Syria sending troops to Yemen would be a risky bet for Sharaa By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Bus attack leaves dozens dead in eastern Syria Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed when a bus was ambushed in the Deir ez-Zor province. There is significant conflict in the area where Kurdish, government and Islamic State forces all have a presence. Syria
Turkey plays role in livestreaming of northern Syria soccer With the support of Turkey, a Syrian soccer tournament is being broadcast live on the internet, pushing many to follow the games, and advancing the sports sector in the area. Syria
Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian targets outside of Damascus The missiles reportedly killed a Syrian soldier in an air defense unit. Syria
Syria’s Kurdish-led administration calls on Biden for political recognition SDF commander Mazlum Kobane told Al-Monitor last month he hopes the Biden administration will double the US troop presence in northeast Syria. Syria
Syrian Kurds deny deal with Russia, Assad government over Ain Issa The Syrian government and Russian media sites are promoting a new agreement between Russia and the Syrian Defense Forces that guarantees the regime's takeover of the Ain Issa area in northern Raqqa. Syria
Arabs in Syrian Kurdish-controlled region on edge following assassinations Al-Monitor conducted a rare reporting trip to Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor region to discuss the situation with the chief of the part of the Arab-majority governorate under Kurdish-led SDF control in the oil-rich and insurgent-prone area. Syria
Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town Turkey has mobilized more forces in the vicinity of the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria, while the Free Syrian Army, an ally of Ankara, intensified its presence in that area amid an agreement between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Russia to ward off Turkey and its allies from the town. Syria
US unveils new Syria sanctions targeting Assad’s British in-laws The US administration has blacklisted the commander of Syria's military intelligence organization, a senior aide to President Bashar al-Assad and Assad's British in-laws. Syria
KRG asks US forces to deploy along Kurdish-controlled part of Iraqi-Syrian border In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s deputy chief of staff outlined why the Kurdish region's government wants US forces stationed in and around the Fish Khabur border crossing. Iraq
Can the US force Iran out of Syria? Not likely, former officials say The outgoing Trump administration appears to have made little if any progress in achieving its goal. Syria
Pro-Iran militias in Syria soak merchants for cash at checkpoints The checkpoints of the Syrian regime and the pro-Iranian militias along the main road between Deir-ez-Zor and al-Bukamal are imposing royalties on merchants and local residents in their areas of control. Syria
Iraq, KRG, Turkey find common ground in response to PKK Kurdish group increasingly isolated; meanwhile, Syrian Kurds boxed in by Turkey, Russia and Assad. Iraq
