Reviving Kurdish language in northern Syria

The self-administration in northern Syria is teaching the Kurdish language in a bid to revive it among the local population after decades of marginalization.

Iraq

All official Syrian-Lebanon border crossings now open

The border area has been deemed secure enough for the Lebanese and Syrian governments to reopen the last of the five border crossings between the two countries.

Lebanon

Christmas trees in Aleppo?

A new roof in Bethlehem, a desecrated altar in Diyarbakir, Christmas trees in Aleppo and an appreciation of “fellow travelers” in faith.

Palestine

Russia finds neutral zones in Syria essential but tricky

Moscow hopes to focus soon on rebuilding Syria's shattered infrastructure, but first must help restore stability, which could prove much more difficult.

Syria

Rival governments in northern Syria are at it again

Two rival local governments affiliated with the opposition in Idlib province are vying for influence and power, which could further escalate tensions between them.

Syria

Syrian opposition skeptical of Russian troop pullout

While some opposition factions hope Russia's reported military withdrawal from Syria will encourage a political solution, others fear Iran and regime forces will exploit the vacuum.

Syria

Turkey’s problem with Syrian Kurds far from over

Ankara has accepted the Russian proposal to have Kurdish participation in Syrian national reconciliation while excluding the PYD, but the latter will remain the elephant in the room.

Iraq

Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas seek new strategy for resistance

Hamas is moving closer to Iran and Hezbollah, as the "axis of resistance" shifts priorities now that the Syrian war is winding down.

Palestine

Turkey plans short turnaround on long-range missiles in 2018

Regional conflicts have shown the importance of deep-strike capability with cruise missiles, and Turkey is now working hard to acquire it.

Syria

A perilous journey home for Raqqa residents

In the former self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State, two months after the end of the battle, Raqqa residents are already attempting to rebuild their war-battered city — a colossal challenge that has also proven to be lethal.

Syria

Syria’s internally displaced in dire need of aid

Amid the lack of basic services in the camps for displaced people in Aleppo’s northern countryside, officials are calling on local and humanitarian organizations to step up and provide aid.

Syria

Turkey backtracking on 'red lines' for Syria's Kurds

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly agreed to accept Kurdish participation at the Syria congress in Sochi, as long as those Kurds do not belong to the Democratic Union Party.

Syria