Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Analysis

Were Israel's Yemen strikes trial run for major attack on Iran?

Some analysts consider the large-scale attack on Yemeni sites a test run for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but others now view destabilizing the mullahs as the best approach.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israel strikes Yemen ports, power stations in retaliation against Houthis

Dozens of Israeli fighter jets struck three ports and two power plants in Sanaa, the capital.

Israel

Analysis

'We may end up missing Assad': Israel grapples with Turkey’s rising influence in Syria

Reports of Turkish preparations to invade northern Syria, coupled with Israeli officials’ statements of support for the Kurds, further strain the already tense relationship between the leaders of Israel and Turkey.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Gulf states reach out to new Syrian leaders ahead of Jordan talks: What we know

Bahrain's King Hamad sent a letter to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, while the UAE has held direct contact with opposition groups. Qatar is set to reopen embassy in Damascus soon.

Syria

Analysis

Israel builds flexible presence in Syria as window opens to strike Iran

Israeli leaders keep stressing that the military presence in the buffer zone and on Mount Hermon is temporary, but a lot will depend on who will control Syria hence on

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Turkey’s intel chief in Damascus, set to meet Syria's transition, HTS leaders

The Turkish intelligence chief reportedly plans to hold talks with rebel leaders as US Secretary Antony Blinken is due to arrive in Ankara for crucial discussions on Syria.

Turkey

Who is who in Syria’s first interim government after Assad's fall

HTS and its government arm have installed a new interim prime minister and cabinet in Damascus. Who are they?

Syria

Exclusive

Syria’s Kurds withdraw from Manbij following US ultimatum

The ultimatum came as the militants failed to comply with an agreement brokered by the United States to pull out of the city in exchange for assurances that Turkey and its SNA allies would not attack the SDF east of the river.

By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba

Syria's interim PM warns foreign currency shortage could hinder refugee return

Nearly 14 years of civil war, international sanctions and the exodus of 4.82 million Syrians have crippled the economy, resulting in a sharp decline of the Syrian pound.

Syria

Qatar to reopen embassy in Syria after 13 years

Doha is looking to engage with the Islamist-led government in Syria after severing relations 13 years ago over deposed President Bashar al-Assad's brutal crackdown.

Syria

Top US general meets with Syria’s Kurdish forces after Assad falls

Washington has laid out its conditions for supporting post-Assad governance but appears reluctant to leverage its military foothold in Syria as Turkey-backed rebels continued to attack the Kurdish-led SDF, threatening the fragile cohesion among US-backed militias seen as essential to keeping a lid on the dangerous remnants of Islamic State group.

Syria

Analysis

Israel destroys Syria’s navy after breaching buffer zone: What to know

After conducting hundreds of airstrikes inside Syria in recent days, Israeli leaders say the entry of troops into the Syrian buffer zone and Syria's Mount Hermon is temporary.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs