Culture Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup Kurdish players and clubs are making rare global gains on football’s biggest stage, offering a brief lift amid ongoing political setbacks across the region. Turkey
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
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
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
Analysis Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon Syria
Analysis Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Turkey, Syria ink defense cooperation deal as Ankara ups pressure on Kurdish-led SDF The military agreement comes amid Ankara’s warnings to the Pentagon-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over their refusal to integrate into Syria’s army. Turkey
Kurds, Damascus resume talks as Syria, Jordan FMs meet US envoy in Amman The meeting aims to address growing unrest and political demands amid Syria’s fragile efforts to rebuild. Syria
China envoy, Syria FM meet as Uyghur militant concerns slow reconstruction ties China and Syria remain at an impasse as Beijing remains wary of Uyghur militants’ integration into Syrian forces, while Syria, wary of alienating fighters who helped secure its recent military victories, seeks a compromise that won’t undermine the new government’s stability. Syria
Pentagon: Al-Qaeda remnants seek influence in Syria’s new government Hurras al-Din announced its dissolution in January, but US intelligence believes its adherents may still seek influence via Syria’s new government, which is led by their former jihadist rival and ex-HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syria
Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country. Syria
Turkey-France rivalry disrupts US-led mediation between Damascus, Syrian Kurds Ankara is pressuring Damascus to cancel talks in Paris, fearing French support will tilt negotiations in favor of the Kurds, regional officials told Al-Monitor. Turkey
Turkey’s Fidan visits Syria as Ankara pushes SDF to disarm: What to know The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to Damascus comes as Ankara ramps up pressure for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to lay down arms. Turkey
Turkey turns up heat on SDF to disarm as US Syria envoy returns to Damascus While Turkey demands that the SDF disarms, Washington is trying to revive stalled talks between Kurdish forces and the new Syrian government in Damascus. Syria
Syria thwarts church attack in Tartous, blames Assad 'remnants': What to know Syrian officials blamed the attack on a group affiliated with the government of former President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Senate defense spending bill would restrict US troop drawdown from Syria Washington plans to zero out stipends for Iraqi Kurdistan’s peshmerga forces but will continue funding Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces via its counter-ISIS authorities at least through 2026. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month. Syria
