Syrian Kurd commander Kobane kicks off European tour amid scrutiny from Damascus Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Mazlum Kobane is on a European tour and will likely meet French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing G7 leaders urge Lebanon ceasefire G7 leaders press for a Lebanon ceasefire as scrutiny grows over Trump’s Iran deal and Israeli politics shift ahead of elections. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid Trump’s proposal faces resistance from Damascus, skepticism from experts and opposition across Lebanon’s political spectrum. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: FutureVerse Syria’s post-war tech risks A US-Iran agreement may be easing regional tensions, but risks to Middle East tech infrastructure continue to grow. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US deal requires Israeli forces to leave Lebanon By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive US firm HKN Energy takes over 7 oil fields from Syria's Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Kerry says 'indiscriminate' Syria chemical attack 'undeniable' US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the delayed access for UN inspectors to the chemical attack sits is due to the Syrian Government shelling the areas in an attempt to destroy evidence. Syria
Beyond US strikes, signs of intensifying UN diplomacy on Syria Obama administration officials have said that the goal of military action in Syria would be to uphold the universal prohibition of chemical weapons and not regime change, citing that the conflict must be resolved politically. Syria
Obama makes case for 'decisive' but 'limited' action on Syria President Obama has said the military action he is considering for Syria will not deeply involve the US in the conflict, but will "have a positive impact on our national security over the long term." Syria
Arsal clashes a threat to Lebanon's future The outcome of the clashes in Arsal between the Lebanese army and fundamentalists supporting the Syrian opposition may hold the key to how Lebanon can resolve its political crises. Lebanon
Does Iran benefit from Gaza crisis? Iran reconsiders Hamas ties; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fixation on Iran may have distracted him from the threat from Hamas; Asmaa Al-Ghoul reports from Gaza; the Islamic State offers no support for Hamas. Qatar
Obama cabinet briefs Congress on Syria, as UK participation looks in doubt Senior Obama administration national security officials will brief lawmakers on the chemical weapons attack in an unclassified phone call. Syria
Kerry: World 'watching to see if Syria can get away with it' President Obama has said that he is consulting lawmakers over military options in Syria and that the US will only take limited military action that will not involve boots on the ground. Syria
Obama tasks Congress with Syria vote: 'We should have this debate' Obama has decided to seek congressional approval for limited airstrikes on Syria to punish and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Syria
Russia urges Syria to surrender chemical arms to avert strikes Russia announced that it has given a proposal to the Syrian Government which would require the Syrian regime to place their chemical weapons under international control and allow their subsequent destruction. Syria
Obama, Putin previously discussed plan to secure Syria chemical arms US and Russian officials confirmed that discussions over securing Syria's chemical arms had been talking place for months before the alleged August chemical attack. Syria
Ex IDF intel chief: Plan to remove Syria chemical arms 'important test' Former Israeli Defense Forces intelligence chief Amos Yadlin has said that the removal of chemical weapons from Syria with out US military force would be a "genuine achievement for President Obama." Syria
Framework text: US, Russia reach deal to remove Syria chemical arms After three days of negotiations in Geneva Russia and the US have reached an agreement under which Syria would declare all of its chemical weapons sites within seven days and have all of its chemical weapons destroyed or removed by mid 2014. Syria