Analysis Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say. By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a Turkey-Israel-Syria deconfliction mechanism. Turkey
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Israel puts Syria on notice over Iran According to foreign reports, Israel is increasing its offensive activities in Syria against Iran-related targets. Israel
Turkish-backed factions form military councils in north Syria ahead of possible Turkish operation The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions are getting ready to manage Tal Rifaat and Manbij in the countryside of Aleppo after expelling the Kurdish forces following an expected Turkish military operation. Syria
Syrian opposition bans wheat exports in response to food crisis The Syrian opposition’s interim government is trying to prevent the smuggling of strategic crops, namely wheat, from its areas of control, amid a global food crisis resulting from the Ukraine war. Syria
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham holds massive military maneuvers in Idlib The Syrian jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is boosting readiness in anticipation of new government offensive. Syria
Does Erdogan have a green light from Russia to move into Syria? The US and Iran oppose the planned Turkish operation, as Erdogan digs in further on Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids, and warns Greece on the Aegean Islands. Turkey
Iran, Turkey brace for face-off in Syria Iran has been trying to dissuade Turkey from a fresh intervention in Syria while making military preparations on the ground to protect its interests amid a growing rift between the two neighbors. Iran
Turkish-backed forces step up military drills ahead of potential operation in northern Syria Free Syrian Army factions are holding major military drills and parades to beef up their combat readiness to take part in the Turkish military operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Syria
Russia remains committed to Syria’s Assad despite Ukraine war, Pentagon says Reports that Moscow has been readying tens of thousands of Syrians to fight in Europe are "disinformation," senior US defense official tells Congress. Syria
Russia expresses 'understanding' for Turkey’s security concerns in north Syria Receiving Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu maintains that the creation of a safe maritime corridor for Ukrainian grain exports should be accompanied by the easing of sanctions against Russia. Turkey
Jihadi group in Syria’s Idlib seeks control of NGOs Hayat Tahrir al-Sham continues to restrict humanitarian organizations operating in its areas of control in northwestern Syria. Syria