Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border. Turkey
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Erdogan's shifting rationale on Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest rationale for Turkish forces entering northern Syria point to a long-term engagement. Syria
Turkish companies flout law for cheap Syrian labor Unemployment in Turkey has reached 11.3%, and Syrian refugees have become a convenient scapegoat. Syria
Erdogan comes face to face with US, Russia in Syria Turkey may have gone into Syria to push back Syrian Kurds, but it now finds itself confronting both Russia and the United States. Syria
Did IS kill Turkish troops in Syria? The Turkish government is remaining silent while some say the Islamic State — not the Syrian air force, as Ankara claims — was responsible for an attack on Turkish forces in northern Syria. Syria
Raqqa’s displaced flee to Iraqi border areas The residents of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor are fleeing the fighting and are heading to al-Hawl camp in Hasakah, where conditions are harsh for the thousands of displaced. Syria
Putin not waiting for Trump to press advantage in Syria Russian president seeks gains in Syria in the final weeks of the Obama administration; Saudi Arabia encouraged by Trump’s take on Iran; Liberman as gatekeeper between Trump and Netanyahu. Saudi Arabia
Islamic State turns to cigarette smuggling to fund itself As the Islamic State loses its financial resources, it turns to fund the organization through other resources such as cigarette smuggling. Iraq
Why Turkey issued arrest warrant for this Kurdish leader Ankara issued an arrest warrant for PYD leader Salih Muslim, which appears to be part of an all-out war against Rojava. But will it work? Syria
After Mosul battle, is Syria next for PMU? As the liberation of Mosul nears, the Popular Mobilization Units announced that they have received an invitation from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to fight in Syria. Iraq
Trump talks Middle East plans US President-elect Donald Trump, in a meeting with The New York Times on Nov. 22, discussed many critical matters in the region, including ending the Syrian war and forging Israeli-Palestinian peace. Syria
The final nail in the coffin of peace process in Turkey Following the detention of the mayor of Mardin, reviving the peace process between Kurdish militants and the Turkish government is no more than a pipe dream. Syria
Ankara intensifies strikes against YPG, moves to arrest PYD leader As Turkey continues its struggle with the Syrian Kurdish militants allied with the United States against the Islamic State in Syria, Ankara has issued a warrant for the arrest of Salih Muslim, the co-chair of the group's political arm. Syria
