Syria - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Palmyra

Syria

November 7, 2026

Damascus 8:07 am

14°C

Bakr ALkasem / AFP via Getty Images

Syria foils Hezbollah-linked plot to attack Homs refinery: What to know

Syrian authorities have intensified a crackdown against Hezbollah’s alleged plans to launch attacks inside Syrian territory as well as smuggling attempts.

BING GUAN/AFP via Getty Images

Lawmakers urge Commerce Dept to ease Syria investment restrictions

Syria may be off the terrorism blacklist, but the Commerce Department’s export controls have yet to catch up.

Muzna Al-Atrash

Explainer

Meet Muzna al-Atrash, Syria's new Druze adviser for peace affairs

Atrash, from the Suwayda province and a member of the Druze community, will advise Damascus on peace affairs as it looks to assert authority in the south.

People inspect the damage at a site targeted by airstrikes

Analysis

How Syria is balancing public anger, regional stability after Jordan's strikes

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Middle East, reporting on regional politics

Latest News

Analysis

Gaza progress, Syria pullback: What Turkey wants from Israel’s next government

Demonstrators hold a banner reading "Free Gaza, free world"

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Syria flash floods kill at least 5, force hundreds of families from camps

Mohammed Mir / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Interview

US oil firm HKN aims to double output in Syria's formerly Kurdish-run fields

A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on Feb. 15, 2026.

Matthew Zais

Matthew Zais

HKN vice president for government affairs

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Will al-Qaeda capitalize on IS losses at Iraqi-Syrian border?

Al-Qaeda may be posed to make a comeback in eastern Syria and parts of Iraq, exploiting its historic roots in the area after the territorial defeat of the Islamic State.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, talk to each other during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 4, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC197C470650

Putin plays Syria card in Israeli, Turkish elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin may be the winner with regard to his influence in Syria.

Boys walk at al-Hol displacement camp in Hasaka governorate, Syria March 8, 2019. REUTERS/Issam Abdallah - RC1FE9B01970

Iraqi boy risks all to rescue Yazidi woman from Islamic State

Teenage Diya Hamad told Al-Monitor the heroic tale of how he rescued his Yazidi friend from abuse by the Islamic State, following her into danger even as his own family reached safety.

Russia expands ties in Lebanon’s oil, gas sector

Russia has gotten a huge head start on the United States in gaining access to Lebanon’s oil and gas sector, allowing Moscow to continue to strengthen its economic position across the Middle East.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine greet supporters in Ankara, Turkey April 1, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC186E18F620

Local election defeat bodes more foreign woes for Erdogan

The irreparable setback Turkey’s president suffered in the March 31 municipal polls, coupled with the country’s economic crisis, leaves him in a weaker position vis-a-vis Washington, Moscow and the European Union.

Hamas leadership seeks to restore ties with Syria

Hamas sees an opening to rebuild ties with Damascus.

Druze people take part in a rally over U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights March 23, 2019 REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1883F0B370

Druze feelings mixed about Trump’s recognition of Golan

Some Druze residents of the Golan Heights protested US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory, but others welcomed it.

Eastern Ghouta newcomers sweeten Aleppo countryside

Familiar sweets with an eastern Ghouta flair are bringing novelty to street food in the Aleppo countryside.

Syria's Kurds increasingly isolated as Arab tribes cut deals with regime

As Damascus recovers more territory, Arab tribes throughout Syria are increasingly open to working with Damascus to restore security.

A general view shows the town of Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad - RC1195E40A50

Did Trump’s decision on Golan undercut Putin mediation on Syria?

Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki; Turkey rethinks Syria ties over Kurds.

A Syrian army soldier stands at a checkpoint at the Quneitra crossing between the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and Syria, seen from the Syrian side in Quneitra, Syria March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1B4F2B5A00

Iran’s seeming restraint on Golan Heights puts Arab rivals in tough spot

Iran’s adoption of a low-profile position on Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights appears to be a calculated move to maximize Iran's regional interests.

Golan residents unhappy, yet unsurprised by US decision

Golan Heights residents were dismayed but not altogether shocked by the US president's sudden decision to recognize Israel's annexation of their homeland.