Analysis What’s at stake for Turkey as Israel heads to the polls? Israel’s Oct. 27 election could offer a chance to ease tensions with Ankara, but competing ambitions in Syria and beyond threaten to push the two US allies toward a dangerous confrontation. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How Israel’s elections could bring thaw with Syria The next Israeli government could have an opportunity to secure several diplomatic wins involving the United States and Iran by improving relations with Syria. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Syria to rejoin Arab group at IMF, leaving Russian-led constituency Syria will rejoin the Arab constituency at the International Monetary Fund beginning Nov. 1 and has applied for membership in the EBRD. Syria
UAE sends medical and food aid to Syria The United Arab Emirates is calling on other countries in the region and around the world to repair ties and cooperate with the Syrian government amid the ongoing civil war. News Brief
Four soldiers injured in suspected Israeli airstrikes on Syria Israeli missiles struck areas around Damascus, according to Syria's state media outlet. News Brief
The Takeaway: Nile Dam talks fail, crisis escalates Sisi warns that "all options open" if diplomacy not resumed; Israel: "Knives drawn" as Bibi gets first shot at forming government; Hotel shuttle diplomacy at Iran talks in Vienna; Mummies on parade in Egypt; more! Egypt
War over economic routes heats up in Syria Syria’s economic collapse is stoking the struggle over commercial routes between government-held areas and US- and Turkish-backed enclaves, fueling also disagreements on humanitarian aid. Turkey
Tribes in east Syria resort to their own judiciary over lack of trust in official courts Tribes in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah agreed to set up a tribal judiciary system as an alternative to the official judiciary affiliated with the Kurdish-led authorities running the area. Syria
Syria donor conference raises $6.4B, far short of UN target Of the more than $6 billion raised during the pledging conference, $4.4 billion is set aside for this year. Syria
Intel: US pledges nearly $600M in humanitarian aid to Syria The Biden administration is also calling on the UN Security Council to allow the free flow of aid to opposition-held parts of Syria. Syria
Kurdish forces in northeast Syria conduct security raid in al-Hol camp The United Nations said the operation in al-Hol interfered with humanitarian services, but the US military, which supported the operation, said the disruption was minimal. Violence has increased greatly in the camp this year. News Brief
Eastern Syrian region seeks stability, local control through division After years of calls for greater local decision-making from the Arab majority in Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor, the part of the region under the Kurdish-led SDF plans to divide the territory into four sections. What appears to have possibly been an attempt to assassinate the highest civilian authority in the region has meanwhile raised serious concerns. Syria
In rebuke to Russia, Blinken presses UN to quit politicizing Syria aid Blinken called on the UN Security Council to reauthorize a cross-border aid operation into Syria despite Russian and Chinese opposition. Syria
Tribes in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor back Assad in upcoming elections Tribal sheikhs in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, some of whom are said to have been previously associated with the Islamic State in the province, attended a caucus in support of President Bashar al-Assad for the upcoming presidential elections. Syria
Why is opposition arresting Kurds in northeast Syria? A Kurdish civilian was tortured and killed after he was kidnapped by an armed opposition faction in north Syria, days after the United Nations condemned the detention of civilians in Syria. Syria