Syria’s Assad orders cabinet reshuffle: What are the main changes?

Seasoned diplomat Bassam Sabbagh will serve as foreign minister in the new government, with other key posts remaining unchanged.

Syria

Commander in Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah killed in Israeli strike in Syria

The Iran-backed group said Abu Haidar al-Khafaji had been a security advisor in Damascus.

Syria

Analysis

How ISIS brides held by Syria’s Kurds are smuggled to suitors in Europe

The women are finding their prospective husbands on the internet using smuggled mobile phones.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

ISIS kills five Hezbollah-linked fighters in Syria: war monitor

The clashes come amid reports of an ISIS resurgence in Syria as well as an increase in activity in Europe.

Syria

Analysis

Israel confronts Iran’s 'belt of fire': What’s next after Syria missile facility raid?

Tensions are rising not only on Israel’s northern front along the border with Lebanon, but also on the border with Syria and further off, with Iran.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

What’s behind the flurry of ISIS attacks in Europe?

ISIS’ network in Europe includes an older generation of fighters who have returned from Iraq and Syria, as well as younger, self-radicalized ones that are harder to contain, said one expert.

By Adam Lucente , Rosaleen Carroll

Analysis

Russia ups mediation efforts between Turkey, Syria as Assad drags feet

While Turkey is embracing Russia's role in attempting to mediate between Ankara and Damascus, the Syrian government wants a timetable for Turkey withdrawing its troops from the country.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Exclusive

From mountaintops to underground: PKK responds to Turkey’s drones

Serdar Yektas, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Workers Party's armed wing, told Al-Monitor that Turkey’s use of its home-manufactured drones has drastically changed the nature of the conflict between them.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iran says IRGC member killed in coalition strike in Syria

Iranian news outlets blamed the IRGC member’s death on “coalition forces,” but did not offer further details.

Iran

Turkey’s defense chief: Syria wants timetable for troop withdrawal to resume talks

The defense minister said that Turkey "perceives" such a condition as an unwillingness to return to peace.

Turkey

Clashes between Arab tribes, SDF forces in Syria pose challenge to US

The clashes between Iranian-backed Arab tribes and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the United States, come at a time of heightened tensions in the region ahead of an imminent Iranian response to the killing of Hamas’ leader.

Syria

Turkey says PKK attack kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq

The attack comes at a time when Turkey has intensified its offensive against the militant group in an effort to clear the PKK from the Iraq-Turkey border areas and establish up to a 40-kilometer-deep (24 miles) security zone in northern Iraq.

Turkey