What's behind Kurdish organizations being shut down in Syria?

The democratic self-rule administration in northern Syria closed the offices of dozens of unlicensed organizations in a move deemed to have political motivations.

Iraq

Can Turkey afford new battlefront in Iraq?

Turkey has labeled Operation Euphrates Shield a "success" and put it to bed, leaving observers to wonder about the Turkish military's next ambitions.

Syria

Operation Euphrates Shield: A postmortem

As Turkey closes the chapter on Operation Euphrates Shield, its military intervention in northern Syria, it's important to look at what it did and did not accomplish.

Syria

Is there a road to Raqqa for Turkey?

Syria won't be the only country affected by the fate of Raqqa, as Turkey's hopes for involvement dwindle.

Syria

How these Syrians went from opposition fighters to pro-regime militiamen

Some former members of the Free Syrian Army in southern Syria formed their own group that fights alongside the Syrian regime.

Israel

Did the US, Turkey reach understanding on Assad?

Turkey declares an end to Syrian military intervention; alarm over possible US military support to Gulf coalition in Yemen war.

Legacy: Gulf

Iran in crosshairs as Syrian war winds down

As a resolution to the Syrian conflict grows closer, it is becoming clear that Iran is increasingly in the crosshairs of the Damascus regime's opponents and their backers.

Saudi Arabia

Israel keeps tabs on Putin-Assad alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reinforces the latter and might lead him to adopt a stronger approach vis-a-vis Israel.

Israel

What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq?

Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq.

Iraq

In Idlib, Syrians find solace in soccer

With the Syrian war surrounding Idlib, the General Commission for Youth and Sports is organizing soccer and other sports leagues as a way to create some air of normalcy in opposition-held areas.

Syria

What role should EU have in resolving Syria crisis?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Marisa Matias, the chair of the delegation of the European Parliament for relations with the Mashreq countries, speaks about the EU’s role in the Syrian conflict, while tackling the refugee crisis and ways the EU is helping host countries, like Jordan and Lebanon, deal with the massive influx of displaced Syrians.

Egypt

What federalism would mean for northern Syria

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the new co-chairman of the Syrian Democratic Council, Riad Darar, said that Syrians need to fully understand their interests in this international game to prevent the partition of the country and to build a new system that is more flexible in responding to change.

Syria