Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers Home to many of the world's largest wheat importers, the Middle East and North Africa face acute food security risks as the US-Israel-Iran war disrupts global fertilizer flows and pushes up prices. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know Amjad Youssef appeared on video, allegedly killing dozens of civilians in 2013; he is the latest member of the Assad regime to be captured by the new Syrian government. Syria
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance Backlash erupts after dancers perform to Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” exposing the tightrope between Sharaa’s outreach to the West and pressure from his Islamist base. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria’s Sharaa makes fourth visit to Saudi Arabia, first since Iran war: What to know The visit comes in light of the deepening economic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia post-Assad. Syria
Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Will Netanyahu enforce Syrian red line against Iran? Israel opposes cease-fire plan, as Russia, Turkey and Syria inch toward possible agreement on Afrin. Syria
Next Israel-Hezbollah confrontation could be in Syria While the cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan seems to be holding for now in southern Syria, it might not last for long given the Israeli-Iranian rivalry in the region. Israel
Golan residents renounce Israeli plan to hold local elections Israel is proposing to hold elections in the Golan Heights for the first time in its 50-year occupation, but since almost none of the locals are eligible to run for office, they want nothing to do with the idea. Palestine
Military setbacks don't ensure Islamic State's demise The Islamic State's loss of territory in Iraq and Syria is accompanied by opponents' cheers of a military victory — but is it really victory? Iraq
Hezbollah not concerned about cease-fire deal in Syria The cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in south Syria does not seem to worry the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, which is widely involved in the Syrian war, like it worries its archenemy Israel. Israel
Turkey’s state news agency exposes US positions in Syria A Turkish state news agency revealed US troops' positions in Syria in what US officials see as further Turkish hostility over the US alliance with the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units. Syria
New Syrian banknote may be more than meets the eye Syria has issued a new 2,000-pound banknote sporting the face of President Bashar al-Assad; not surprisingly, the opposition refuses to use it. Syria
Turkey wanted thousands of US troops for Raqqa offensive As the US-led coalition fights to liberate Raqqa, Turkey continues to complain about the inclusion of Syrian Kurdish fighters, arguing the United States should have committed enough troops. Syria
Fighting revives refugees' hopes of returning to Aleppo After well more than a year living under wretched conditions in refugee camps, thousands of displaced residents from northern Aleppo province hope to return home soon as the Free Syrian Army fights to reclaim towns from the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Pentagon: Rebel forces taking heavy casualties in Raqqa fight The United States confirmed today that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are taking heavy casualties in an effort to push the Islamic State out of its stronghold in Raqqa. Syria
Turkish-YPG clashes rage around critical sites in northern Syria Turkey and its allies among the Syrian rebel forces have intensified attacks on Syrian Kurdish fighters in northwest Syria as Turkey's buildup continues. Syria
Syrian cease-fire a delicate balance of vastly different goals Iran welcomes the Russian/US truce initiative in southern Syria, but will Russia be able to keep juggling the broad, and often conflicting, interests of the various players? Syria