Analysis Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say. By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a Turkey-Israel-Syria deconfliction mechanism. Turkey
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey fails to win green light for safe zone at Syria summit Iran and Russia’s leaders tell President Recep Tayyip Erdogan he must acquire consent from Damascus to launch an offensive in northeast Syria against Kurdish forces. Syria
Russia, Turkey, Iran discuss Syria amid simmering disagreements Putin, Erodgan and Rouhani meet to discuss Syria's future for the first time since Trump announced the United States would withdraw troops from Syria. Syria
Routed FSA faction likely to accept Turkish aid, demands After being ousted from the western Aleppo countryside, the Nour al-din al-Zenki Movement seems to have no choice but to accept Turkey's offer of aid — and meet its conditions. Syria
Why did Netanyahu confirm Israeli attack in Syria? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel attacked Iranian targets in Syria on Feb. 11, reflecting the intensified battle by the Israel Defense Forces against Iranian entrenchment there. Israel
Ankara, Moscow demand 'decisive measures' in Syria ahead of Sochi summit Turkey's defense minister hosted his Russian counterpart for a preparatory meeting for next week's summit on Syria in a show of the deepening friendship and security ties between the Black Sea powers. Syria
As sanctions loom, Syria looks to retrieve funds from abroad Damascus wants the country's banks to develop incentives to bring Syrian funds back, especially those deposited in Lebanese banks. Lebanon
Russia is 'clear eyed' about its Mideast policy Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin discusses the results of his latest tour around the Middle East and Russia’s vision for key regional issues, including Israeli-Iranian frictions, Idlib and the buffer zone in Syria. Iraq
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham driving out activists from areas it controls in Syria Since defeating its military opponents in parts of Syria, extremist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been forcing influential individuals to leave as well. Syria
Trump, touting gains over IS, focuses on Syria exit Speaking to diplomats attending a ministerial meeting of the 79-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS today, President Trump said a formal announcement would come next week that 100% of the terror group's territory had been liberated. Syria
Turkey faces serious odds in Manbij and Idlib Despite many rounds of talks with Washington and Moscow, Ankara has still made little headway regarding its plans for northern Syria. Syria
Rep. Gabbard and Syrian Kurdish leader make for odd State of the Union pair The 2020 presidential contender will be joined by a leader of the US-backed Syrian Kurds for President Trump’s big speech. Syria
Erdogan: Turkey to expel Kurds from Manbij if no one else does Erdogan vows that Kurdish militia members will be removed from Manbij, one way or another; Greek prime minister visits Ankara; jailed CHP legislator ends hunger strike, but Kurdish woman continues hers despite being released. Syria
