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’s FM pays Pakistan first visit in 19 years amid new regional alignments Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is paying his office's first visit to Pakistan in nearly two decades after Islamabad, Ankara and Riyadh signed a joint defense pact. Syria
Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said state oil giant TPAO and private companies are ready to explore for oil and gas onshore and offshore in Syria. Turkey
In first, Lebanon to hand over former Syrian general to Sharaa government The decision comes as Syria's new authorities move to prosecute former regime figures over alleged crimes committed during the country's civil war. Lebanon
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
What we know about Israeli strikes on Syrian air base tied to Turkey By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
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
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
