What is Russia's strategy in Idlib?

Russia is playing the long game with Turkey in the battle for the Syrian provence of Idlib.

Syria

Syria's territorial divisions complicate reconstruction

Russia's efforts toward the reconstruction of Syria are hindered by the inherent challenges in the territorial fragmentation of the country.

Syria

Interview

Sen. Van Hollen challenges Trump's bypass of Congress on Saudi Arabia, Iran

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen describes efforts to curtail the Trump administration’s Gulf policies.

Chris Van Hollen

US Senator from Maryland

Turkey squashed by Idlib pressure

Despite the usual bluster in his traditional Ramadan address, Turkey's president said not a word about the destruction in Syria's Idlib, where Ankara's balance is wobbling.

Syria

US investigates claims that Syria used chlorine gas again

Syria is accused of shelling the opposition-controlled ​​Kabana area in northern Latakia with chlorine gas after failing to advance in the area.

Syria

US denies willingness to talk over S-400 concerns with Turkey

A Pentagon spokesman told Al-Monitor that its concerns with Ankara’s purchase of the Russian missile defense system “cannot be mitigated.”

Turkey

How Russia defends its Syrian air base from attacks

Russia has been using attacks on its air base in Khmeimim as a leverage in talks with Turkey over Idlib, but has also taken some practical steps to counter the assaults.

Syria

After Syria, Pentagon ramps up electronic warfare efforts

A new team at the US Defense Department is addressing the growing Russian threat to American military technology after Moscow's jamming complicated the Syrian battlefield.

Russia

Why Khamenei’s 'no' on talks with US could lead to 'yes'

Expect chatter of Iran-US dialog to pick up in the coming weeks, even though Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he adamantly refuses to negotiate with the Trump administration.

Saudi Arabia

Intel: Why Russia dispatched top diplomat to Tehran

Russia dispatched one of its leading diplomats to Tehran this week to urge the Iranians to back off their threat to resume nuclear activities in retaliation for the US “maximum pressure” campaign.

Russia

Intel: Why Russia is teaming up with China against US peace plan

Russia officially rejected participation in next month’s US-sponsored peace summit in Bahrain, a day after Chinese ambassador to Palestine Guo Wei announced that Beijing and Moscow had struck a deal to boycott it.

Russia

Can Russia, France work together to settle Idlib?

Moscow, Paris and Berlin have recently intensified talks over Syria's Idlib, but so far there's been more disagreement and defeated expectations than consent and progress.

Jordan