Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says nuclear negotiations have not started yet Iran disputes US optimism over nuclear talks as Washington eases oil sanctions and regional tensions remain fragile. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria announces direct flights to Amsterdam as Europe links expand The head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced that after years of suspension, Syrian Airlines would restart direct services between Damascus and Amsterdam. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Vance says Switzerland talks laid 'good foundation' for final deal Early US-Iran talks in Switzerland point to cautious progress By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria’s Sharaa says he had ‘multiple discussions’ with Trump on Lebanon, favors dialogue Syrian President Sharaa has again played down Donald Trump’s request that Syria could enter Lebanon and help disarm Hezbollah. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump touts Iran deal as Hegseth warns Tehran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing G7 leaders urge Lebanon ceasefire By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
John Kerry's Syria File Secretary of State John Kerry, a veteran and critic of the Vietnam war, is now himself a decision maker regarding U.S. policy toward the civil war in Syria, writes Geoffrey Aronson. Syria
Hagel, Syria, the P5+1 and Iran The Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense as the United States announced $60 million in non-lethal aid to the Syrian Opposition Council; Israel, Iraq and Lebanon continue to be concerned about the regionalization of the war in Syria; and Iran puts Syria in play after the P5+1 meetings. Iraq
Israel Anticipates 'Somalization' Of Syria Israel’s quietest border in decades may become rife with terrorism were the Assad regime to fall, argues Ben Caspit. Israel
Beirut on Edge After Nasrallah Speech The speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Feb. 26 holds many similarities to his speech on May 6, 2008, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Rubio Says US Should Give Ammunition to Syrian Rebels Sen. Marco Rubio, a possible candidate for president in 2016, urged more U.S. support for Syrian rebels and cast doubt on the likelihood of success of negotiations with Iran. Palestine
The Coming Unknown For NATO’s Policy on Syria Jean-Loup Samaan writes that NATO’s role in Syria is likely to remain limited, and that preserving the infrastructure of the country is essential to prevent a collapse of state authority. Syria
Bad Timing: Israel Allows Oil Exploration in Golan Akiva Eldar writes that the decision to allow a US energy company to explore for oil in the Golan is not meant to antagonize President Obama in advance of his visit to Israel, but a sign that Israel considers the Golan an integral part of the state. Israel
No Conditions on Syrian Dialogue Al-Monitor’s coverage and analysis of the demonstrations in the West Bank, the role of Hezbollah in Syria, and the urgency of starting negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition without conditions. Palestine
Syrian Government Insists: No Conditions on Dialogue A Syrian official says Damascus is in principle open to dialogue, but not with preconditions, reports Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Israel Should Build Field Hospital On the Golan Border When the IDF assisted seven wounded Syrian rebels who reached the Israeli border, it was a one-time event, but Shlomi Eldar suggests that Israel open a field hospital to plant the seeds of reconciliation. Israel
Syria War Spurs US Military Aid To Lebanon The Obama administration intends to continue aid to the Lebanese army to help prevent the spread of sectarian fighting from Syria and to counter the influence of Hezbollah. Lebanon
Nasrallah Threatens Israel Again Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has again threatened Israel, but the threats may stem from Hezbollah's fortunes declining as a result of the war in Syria, writes Shlomi Eldar. Israel
