Iran’s Khamenei has three main messages for Putin at summit

Tehran wants to strengthen existing ties with Russia and develop new areas of cooperation while isolating the United States at the same time.

Syria

Russian summit on Syria raises controversy, doubt

The Syrian opposition suspects Russia’s upcoming congress is a ploy to bolster the regime and dilute the United Nations’ influence.

Syria

Israel, Hezbollah playing Russian roulette in Syria

Russia has managed to prevent confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah in Syria, but will its luck run out in the long term?

Israel

Turkish security making headway against Salafi-jihadi networks

Intelligence gathered in Syria has helped Ankara in its pursuit of violent Salafi-jihadi networks inside Turkey.

Syria

Opposition leader implores US not to abandon Syria to Russia and Iran

The new leader of the Syrian national coalition shared with Al-Monitor his plans for lobbying the Trump administration during his first visit to Washington.

Syria

Kurdish crisis imperils US anti-terror fight in Syria

The dispute between Baghdad and Erbil threatens a key border crossing used to resupply US-backed troops battling the Islamic State in Syria.

Iraq

Turkey tightens siege on Afrin

Turkey is closing in on the Kurdish stronghold of Afrin in northern Syria.

Syria

Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside

Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria.

Iraq

Syrian Kurds focused on federalism

The Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum continues to make waves in Syria as the country's Kurds believe they can negotiate with the Syrian government to establish a federal state.

Iraq

Local radio station uses airwaves to fight extremism in northern Syria

A local radio station in Qamishli, in northern Syria, is helping the community overcome the suffering they endured under Islamic State rule, while trying at the same time to prevent youths from drifting into extremism.

Syria

Raqqa mothers recount horrors of life under IS as city liberated

The thousands of Syrians who fled Raqqa when it fell under the Islamic State’s control have gained an inch of hope to return to their homes after the city was recently liberated.

Lebanon

How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa

The Syrian regime army took control of Hama’s eastern countryside from the Islamic State, which opened a road toward eastern Syria and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Syria