Turkey's 'American Idol' of Quran recitation backfires

An attempt to spread Ramadan cheer backfires as Turkey's Islamists are not happy with a controversial TV show involving competition to recitate the Quran.

Egypt

'Peace Radio' inspires Iraq's refugees and displaced

Radio Salam in northern Iraq focuses on the refugees and displaced in Iraq to spread hope and peace among them.

Iraq

Kurdish-backed militia launches Raqqa operation as another declares war on Turkey

Coming just days after the Pentagon began distributing weapons to the YPG, Turkey could easily construe threats of escalation by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons as proof that US support for the Syrian Kurds emboldens the Kurdistan Workers Party.

Syria

Jordan pins hopes on US-Russian accord on southern Syria

Amid talks about secret trilateral meetings being held in Amman between Jordan, the United States and Russia to establish a de-escalation zone in southern Syria, Jordan would reject the presence of Islamic State militants on its northern borders, or fighters supported by Iran.

Jordan

Applying the ‘Bosnian model’ to Syria’s crisis

Could the United States and Russia learn from the Dayton Agreement to reach a lasting peace deal in Syria?

Jordan

Ankara looks beyond Raqqa offensive for fate of northern Syria

The Turkish government is worried about how the Democratic Union Party will transform northern Syria once the Islamic State is defeated in Raqqa.

Iraq

Kurdish cantons in northern Syria already linked

One of the most heated issues of the Syrian war has been the possibility of Kurdish cantons connecting, overcoming Turkey’s threatening objections. And now, with the Aleppo road open, Kurdish cantons are connected for the first time in four years.

Iraq

Syrians in Egypt demand clearer work regulations

Syrians who fled their country and settled in Egypt have so far contributed to the Egyptian economy with more than $800 million, but they have yet to get their papers in order.

Egypt

Syrian NGO begins rebuilding war-torn Idlib

The relative calm prevailing in northern Syria’s opposition-controlled areas, specifically in Idlib province, is inspiring relief organizations to launch reconstruction projects aimed at infusing life back into the devastated areas.

Syria

US, Russia hold secret talks over south Syria safe zone

US and Russian officials are quietly negotiating a deal over a proposed "de-escalation" zone near the border with Jordan.

Syria

YPG tightens noose around Raqqa

The battle for Raqqa is near as arms from the United States are dispersed among the coalition’s Kurdish ally, the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units.

Syria

Syrian women in Egypt work to build strength out of hardship

Six years into the devastating war, Syrian women who sought refuge in Egypt have become stronger and acquired new survival skills.

Egypt