Analysis Turkey’s gamble: Syria defense deal signals long road to rebuilding forces Experts say training police and army units could take years and billions, while Ankara seeks to curb SDF influence and expand its regional role. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey launches military training for Syria’s new army: What to know Ankara has launched training, consultancy and technical assistance support to Syrian troops, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Turkey
Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria. Syria
US raid kills senior ISIS official near Syria's border with Turkey The US raid killed a senior ISIS official believed to be next in line for the group’s top leadership role, a US official said. Syria
Analysis Syria state media's Kurdish-language launch: tactical move or real shift? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say. Turkey
Explosion kills 4 in Syria’s Idlib: What to know Syria remains littered with the waste of a Cold War arsenal and 14 years of civil war. Syria
Will Turkey follow through on threats to attack Syria's Kurds? This week we unpack the stakes around Ankara's threats to take military action alongside Damascus against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey
Analysis Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Turkey, Syria ink defense cooperation deal as Ankara ups pressure on Kurdish-led SDF The military agreement comes amid Ankara’s warnings to the Pentagon-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over their refusal to integrate into Syria’s army. Turkey
Kurds, Damascus resume talks as Syria, Jordan FMs meet US envoy in Amman The meeting aims to address growing unrest and political demands amid Syria’s fragile efforts to rebuild. Syria
China envoy, Syria FM meet as Uyghur militant concerns slow reconstruction ties China and Syria remain at an impasse as Beijing remains wary of Uyghur militants’ integration into Syrian forces, while Syria, wary of alienating fighters who helped secure its recent military victories, seeks a compromise that won’t undermine the new government’s stability. Syria
Pentagon: Al-Qaeda remnants seek influence in Syria’s new government Hurras al-Din announced its dissolution in January, but US intelligence believes its adherents may still seek influence via Syria’s new government, which is led by their former jihadist rival and ex-HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syria
Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country. Syria
Turkey-France rivalry disrupts US-led mediation between Damascus, Syrian Kurds Ankara is pressuring Damascus to cancel talks in Paris, fearing French support will tilt negotiations in favor of the Kurds, regional officials told Al-Monitor. Turkey
Turkey’s Fidan visits Syria as Ankara pushes SDF to disarm: What to know The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to Damascus comes as Ankara ramps up pressure for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to lay down arms. Turkey
Turkey turns up heat on SDF to disarm as US Syria envoy returns to Damascus While Turkey demands that the SDF disarms, Washington is trying to revive stalled talks between Kurdish forces and the new Syrian government in Damascus. Syria