How Russia sees protests in Lebanon, Iraq

Russian officials have adopted a wait and see approach to the ongoing protests in Lebanon and Iraq, but the stance has some principles Moscow follows.

Iraq

What messages lie behind Assad’s visit to southern Idlib?

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s recent visit to the front line in southern Idlib province raised controversy and questions among opposition forces about Assad's goals and what messages he might have been sending — and to whom.

Syria

Russia, Egypt look to boost military ties

Russia and Egypt held military exercises as a token of Moscow's increased interest in expanding cooperation with Cairo.

Egypt

Turkey faces uphill battle to improve image after Syria operation

The Turkish president is maintaining his hard line, which indicates that Ankara’s ties with the international community will remain strained.

Syria

Ankara faces hostility in north Syria as Turkish-Russian patrols continue

Crowds threw stones and eggs at Turkish-Russian convoys as they entered the predominantly Kurdish town of Kobani in northern Syria.

Syria

Is the PKK worried by the YPG's growing popularity?

The PKK, known for its hierarchical nature and its discipline, may be displeased by the growing global visibility of the Syrian YPG.

Syria

Where the Russia-Turkey deal leaves players on the ground

The initial glow of the Putin-Erdogan deal has faded, and the parties are now in for some on-the-ground challenges.

Syria

Kurdish self-administration under fire

People living to the east of the Euphrates in Syria wonder about the fate of the Kurdish self-administration after the Turkish military attack and the recent Russian, Turkish and US political agreements on the status of this region.

Syria

Kurds in northeast Syria feel abandoned by allies

Russian military police began joint patrols with Turkish forces near the Syrian-Turkish border as part of an agreement under which Kurdish fighters would withdraw from the area.

Syria

Astana trio, UN launch Syrian Constitutional Committee

The launch of the Syrian Constitutional Committee provides hopes for a fresh start, but there's also enough room for skepticism.

Syria

Ankara in quiet negotiations to buy Russian Su-35 fighter jets

Following Ankara's expulsion from the F-35 program, Turkish officials are looking to Moscow to upgrade Turkey's aging warplane fleet with Russian-made Su-35 jets.

Turkey

As Syria constitution talks kick off, is Kurdish administration 'finished'?

As representatives from Syria's government, opposition and civil society meet in Geneva to draft a new constitution for the war-torn country, Al-Monitor spoke with French academic Fabrice Balanche on prospects for the talks.

Iraq