UN watchdog formally ends probe into Assad-era nuclear sites The vote follows last month's visit by international inspectors to two suspected former nuclear sites in Syria. Syria
Syria destroys 42 bombs in chemical stockpile purge: What to know The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has resumed its inspections in Syria and confirmed that at least 42 aerial bombs have been destroyed by Syrian authorities in the first such efforts since 2014. Syria
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil rises amid renewed US-Iran fighting Iran launched a wave of attacks on US sites across the Middle East on Wednesday after an extensive American bombardment. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Is there a road to Raqqa for Turkey? Syria won't be the only country affected by the fate of Raqqa, as Turkey's hopes for involvement dwindle. Syria
How these Syrians went from opposition fighters to pro-regime militiamen Some former members of the Free Syrian Army in southern Syria formed their own group that fights alongside the Syrian regime. Israel
Did the US, Turkey reach understanding on Assad? Turkey declares an end to Syrian military intervention; alarm over possible US military support to Gulf coalition in Yemen war. Legacy: Gulf
Iran in crosshairs as Syrian war winds down As a resolution to the Syrian conflict grows closer, it is becoming clear that Iran is increasingly in the crosshairs of the Damascus regime's opponents and their backers. Saudi Arabia
Israel keeps tabs on Putin-Assad alliance Russian President Vladimir Putin’s backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reinforces the latter and might lead him to adopt a stronger approach vis-a-vis Israel. Israel
What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq? Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq. Iraq
In Idlib, Syrians find solace in soccer With the Syrian war surrounding Idlib, the General Commission for Youth and Sports is organizing soccer and other sports leagues as a way to create some air of normalcy in opposition-held areas. Syria
What role should EU have in resolving Syria crisis? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Marisa Matias, the chair of the delegation of the European Parliament for relations with the Mashreq countries, speaks about the EU’s role in the Syrian conflict, while tackling the refugee crisis and ways the EU is helping host countries, like Jordan and Lebanon, deal with the massive influx of displaced Syrians. Egypt
What federalism would mean for northern Syria In an interview with Al-Monitor, the new co-chairman of the Syrian Democratic Council, Riad Darar, said that Syrians need to fully understand their interests in this international game to prevent the partition of the country and to build a new system that is more flexible in responding to change. Syria
Is Manbij the latest Kurdish poke in Erdogan's eye? Erdogan's plan to contain Kurds suffers a setback as Manbij on Syria's northern border with Turkey declares itself a self-governed canton. Syria
What’s Chechnya doing in Syria? Russia is finding the Republic of Chechnya’s influence to be very helpful in Syria. Syria
Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city. Iraq
