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
Why Erdogan-Trump honeymoon may be short-lived Donald Trump’s victory is welcomed by President Erdogan and his supporters, who say this could be the start of a new beginning in ties. Is that really the case? Syria
Archive Upfront from Nov 14, 2016 Trump Cabinet picks could signal fate of US Mideast policy The fate of the Iran deal and other pressing foreign policy issues may rest with who Donald Trump chooses to advise him and serve in his Cabinet. United States
Turkish airstrikes resume as allied Syrians take position near al-Bab Determined to head off further expansion of a contiguous Kurdish-run zone along its borders, Turkey is counting on the rebels it's backing in Syria to take al-Bab. Syria
Syrians compete in sports event despite siege Despite the siege, the first sports festival in five years recently took place in Eastern Ghouta, in an attempt to engage youth and adults in sports activities. Syria
Should Iran fear a Trump presidency? New US sanctions could end up isolating Washington, not Tehran, as Iran gains ground in the region; Obama’s decision to target Jabhat al-Nusra leaders could lead to breakthrough on Aleppo. Syria
Why Moscow won't recognize genocide against Yazidis in Iraq The newly established Yazidi Congress in Russia is the first political platform uniting all Yazidis in their quest to urge Russia to recognize genocide against Yazidis in Sinjar, Iraq. Iraq
Turkey insists on exclusion of Kurdish forces from Raqqa battle Washington prefers to work with the Kurds to oust the Islamic State from Raqqa, but it still wants to keep Turkey involved. Syria
How NGOs are helping preserve Syria’s heritage Syria’s archaeological sites have suffered great damage, but many organizations are striving to protect what remains, each in its own way. Syria
Why Turkey's hostile stance doesn't worry PYD leader PYD leader Salih Muslim told Al-Monitor they are not worried about Ankara's hostile stance toward the PYD and YPG, and ruled out Turkish military action targeting al-Bab in Syria. Iraq
Will Lebanon's new president give up on old friends? Mohammad Javad Zarif became the first foreign minister to personally congratulate Lebanon’s new president, but what does the Iranian rush really say about the geopolitical game being played out in Beirut? Legacy: Gulf
Educating Syrian refugees still a challenge in Turkey Syrian refugee children in Turkey are being educated in a variety of government, private and religious schools. Syria
A look at battle for Raqqa from a Kurdish perspective A YPG commander told Al-Monitor in an interview that Kurdish militias will help the Syrian Democratic Forces liberate Raqqa but won’t remain in the city after the Islamic State is expelled. Syria
