Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border. Turkey
EU restores economic pact to pursue fuller trade ties with Syria The move marks a major economic step for Syria's recovery after its 13-year civil war and the fall of the Assad regime. Syria
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know Amjad Youssef appeared on video, allegedly killing dozens of civilians in 2013; he is the latest member of the Assad regime to be captured by the new Syrian government. Syria
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
In the battle against IS, where is the Arab coalition? Arab countries claiming their opposition against the Islamic State have stood down in their battle against the self-proclaimed "Caliph Ibrahim," creating a political void in the coalition. Saudi Arabia
Can Syrian opposition defend both Hama and Aleppo at the same time? The Syrian opposition is stretching itself thin as it strives to protect Aleppo while also securing its progress toward Hama, where regime forces pose a serious threat. Syria
Democrats warn Syrian refugee ban would empower Islamic State Congressional Democrats say discriminating against Muslims would harm war effort. Syria
As IS fight ramps up, Obama sees modest progress, hope for Syria diplomacy President Barack Obama cited fragile progress in forging a Syrian diplomatic road map at international talks in Vienna that called for bringing the Syrian regime and opposition together for talks leading to a cease-fire, a new constitution in six months and new elections in 2017. Syria
G-20 summit returns Erdogan to the world stage Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returns to the world stage after the G-20 summit, yet it's not clear whether he will be able to rise to the occasion and change his stance domestically in order to appear less authoritarian and anti-democratic. Syria
Will Rouhani and Zarif defy Khamenei by holding direct talks with US on Syria? Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's public prohibition of dialogue with the United States on regional issues, it appears that Iran and the United States are bound to engage on Syria. Syria
Turkey's no-fly plan grounded at G-20 summit Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to paint a picture of international support for his Syria policies, US President Barack Obama has continued to reject Turkey’s proposals for a safe zone in Syria. Syria
Why Paris attacks will create backlash for migrants in Europe The recent attack in Paris by the Islamic State, and claims that one of the attackers held a Syrian passport, reignited the issue of the return of Western jihadi fighters to their countries in Europe. Syria
Hawkish Republican candidates don’t mince words on radical Islam While some Republican presidential candidates have been quick to declare a war on radical Islam, there has been little focus on the causes behind its rise. Syria
After Paris, Iran spy chief warns Tehran could be next Iranian officials have warned about the possibility of an attack by the Islamic State. Syria
Paris attacks spoil AKP’s G-20 game plan Turkey's AKP government will not be able to use the G-20 summit as an anti-Kurdish platform. Syria
How one Lebanese woman is clowning around to bring laughter to refugees The nonprofit organization Clowns Without Borders performed for two weeks to offer moments of laughter and levity. Lebanon