Analysis How the Iran war can help Syria manage Turkey and its regional rivals Rising regional tensions and disrupted oil flows are giving Damascus leverage to balance Ankara and other neighbors while exploring alternative energy corridors. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria reopens key crossing after 11 years, aiding Iraq's oil exports amid war Iraq and Syria have shown a desire to cooperate on oil exports, and the matter has become more urgent due to the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Syria
In UK visit, Syria’s Sharaa doubles down on Western ties amid Iran war, refugee pressures After talks with UK leaders on Tuesday, Syria's president said the country would remain neutral in the Iran conflict unless it was targeted. Syria
Analysis Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal Germany, which hosts the EU’s largest Syrian refugee population, is pushing to repatriate Syrians, but Syria’s domestic issues and legal protections for asylum seekers complicate those efforts. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Islamic State escalates operations against Syrian forces during Ramadan The Islamic State has recently stepped up its operations against the Syrian government forces and their allied militias as IS cells spread in more areas in Syria. Syria
Russia reveals deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Syria airbase Moscow has reportedly landed Tupolev Tu-22 bombers at Syria's Hmeimim Air Base for the first time. Syria
Turkey touts assassination of top PKK militant as retribution to US The Turkish media has trumpeted the killing of a high-ranking PKK militant by Turkish security forces in northern Iraq as a reprisal of the US support of the Syrian Kurdish groups, while Turkey seems to be a major blockade before Syrian Kurds’ desire for political recognition. Turkey
Biden administration poised to ax US oil company’s waiver for Kurdish-led northeast Syria The decision to withdraw the waiver to produce and sell oil in Syria has been presented by administration officials as a policy correction, not a shift. Syria
Little-known groups target Turkish military presence in Syria Two little-known groups in northwest Syria are claiming responsibility for attacks against Turkish troops in the area, which some say may benefit al-Qaeda against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Syria
Turkey, Russia pressure SDF to restore electricity to northeast Syria The Syrian Democratic Forces continue to cut power in the areas under the control of the Turkish-backed opposition in northeast Syria, under the pretext that Turkey is responsible for the drop in water levels in the Euphrates River. Syria
Syrian refugees’ long walk: why Amal is more than a puppet A giant puppet of a young Syrian girl will travel nearly 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from the Turkish-Syrian border to the United Kingdom. Turkey
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham expands recruitment to all of Idlib province Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is offering young Syrians in the northwestern province of Idlib many incentives to join the militant group's ranks. Syria
Syrian government calls on Turkey to release Euphrates water The Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accuse Turkey of being behind the dramatic drop in water levels flowing into Syria, something that could spell a major economic and environmental crisis. Syria
How Syrian refugees contributed to Turkish economy Syrians have established nearly 14,000 companies in Turkey. Syria
Young Syrians flee regime areas for Turkey Dozens of young men from areas controlled by the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cross daily smuggling routes to the areas under the Syrian opposition to reach Turkey and flee to Europe to escape conscription in the Syrian army. Syria
Political, military wings of Islamist movement clash in Idlib Ahrar al-Sham, which was once one of the largest factions of the Syrian armed opposition in Idlib, has formed a new leadership council that is being perceived as a coup against the movement’s political leaders, who fear the group's integration into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Syria