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
Climate change makes life harder for displaced Syrians The extreme weather conditions caused by climate change have been particularly felt by the displaced living in camps across northwestern Syria, where NGOs are struggling to meet all of their needs. Syria
Iraqis murdered in Syria’s al-Hol camp Tens of thousands of Iraqi nationals, mostly women and children, are “stuck in limbo” in a camp in northeastern Syria as violence against them and regional risks increase. Iraq
Pentagon inquiry finds no fault in 2019 Syria strike that killed civilians Internal investigation blamed Syrian Kurdish forces for failing to mention the presence of civilians when calling in US airstrike. United States
Turkish-backed forces meet with rival HTS in north Syria Extensive meetings were held in the past days between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Idlib, and the Levant Front, one of the most prominent and strongest groups of the Syrian National Army, in a bid to reach a compromise between the two sides. Syria
Syrians dodge military conscription Syrian military-age men are fleeing conscription, forcing them to defer their future or pay back the government. Syria
Syrian Kurdish unity talks crumble as Turkey escalates anti-PKK campaign The breakdown between sides serves Turkey’s agenda of keeping its Kurdish foes divided and weak. Syria
Tribal violence haunts northeastern Syria The de facto authorities controlling northeastern Syria stand idly by as tribal violence escalates, leading to casualties and tension in the area. Syria
Difference over Syrian refugee policy behind unseemly feud between Turkish politicians The founder of a small right-wing party challenges the interior minister in row over repatriations — but is it an attempt to gain support as Turks grow weary of refugees? Turkey
US announces $800M in Syria aid as border-access vote looms US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged the international community to ensure the latest Syria aid "actually reaches those in need." Syria
Erdogan’s plan for return of Syrian refugees unlikely to succeed Erdogan’s new plan to encourage the voluntary return of Syrian refugees promises little success as long as fighting, militia violations and insecurity continue in Syria. Turkey
Syria's Assad makes rare visit to Tehran Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranian leaders. Iran
