Analysis UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push Beirut welcomed a high-level business delegation from the UAE in late August as Abu Dhabi pursues new regional economic engagement amid Iran's waning influence. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines Turkey supports US-backed Israel-Syria talks but sees little prospect of a lasting accommodation until the Israeli elections. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Syria, Saudi Arabia to establish joint bank; Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Sharaa taps Visa as Syria reconnects to global finance: What to know Visa and Mastercard announced Wednesday that their networks can now be used to make international card payments in Syria. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatari PM heads for Tehran amid flurry of regional diplomacy By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis Capitulation or compromise? What SDF's dissolution means for Sharaa, Turkey and Syria's Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Senate Democrats urge Israel to rein in West Bank violence By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria’s Kurdish-led forces advance into Islamic State prison Syrian Kurdish-led fighters have advanced slowly into the Hasakah prison amid reports of hostages. Syria
Islamic State prison break reinforces value of US military protection for Syria's Kurds ‘Cubs of Caliphate’ are among 700 boys held in Islamic State prison, as Syrian Kurdish forces keep up the battle to retake control Syria
Is Turkey isolating Azaz from rest of Syrian territory? The Turkish-backed Free Syria Army in the northern countryside of Aleppo denies building a wall to isolate Azaz and claims that the wall is aimed at protecting the road between Azaz and Afrin from attacks by Kurdish forces and Syrian regime forces. Syria
Islamic State attempts prison break in Syria's Hasakah, SDF says A spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Islamic State militants set off a car bomb and clashed with security forces. Syria
Rare snowstorm hits Iraq and Syria Many people in the Kurdistan Region rejoiced while playing in the snow, but such conditions can be dangerous for others, especially those living in displaced people camps. Iraq
US diplomacy prompts Iraqi Kurds to allow aid through sealed Syrian border crossing The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq has agreed to open one crossing between its territory and northeast Syria twice a month for the passage of vital aid. Iraq
Child recruitment leaves parents heartbroken in northeast Syria The PKK-linked Revolutionary Youth movement has continued its campaign of child recruitment in northeast Syria despite efforts from local authorities, and SDF chief Mazloum Kobane to stop the practice, leaving a trail of anguished parents in its wake. Syria
Syrian government steps up attack against Islamist enclave The Syrian military is taking more aggressive military action against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib. Syria
Syrian jihadist leader in Western wear, opens road in Idlib In a new attempt to improve the image of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group’s leader appeared in public in modern clothing to inaugurate a new road linking Aleppo to Bab al-Hawa. Syria
Last Christian in Idlib recalls his community The last Christian in Idlib is 90 years old. Despite the war and the challenges, he stayed in Idlib even as all Christians left as a result of the war and restrictions imposed by extremist Islamic factions. Syria
Caricatures challenge restrictions, depict suffering of Idlib citizens Despite the risks of being a female caricaturist in Idlib, many young Syrian women have successfully entered the field to express the concerns and pain of Syrians and make their voices heard. Syria
Turkish-backed factions wary of jihadi group in north Syria The opponents of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are accusing it of trying to wrest control over the areas of the Turkish-backed factions in north Syria, in light of its recent rapprochement with some of these factions. Syria