The high price of Russian bombs in Syria

Russia’s use of blind aerial bombings could win the war in Syria cheaply, yet at a great cost.

Syria

Turkey makes progress on sealing Syria border, but is it enough?

Turkey’s granting the United States access to its military bases, among other factors, has muted US frustration at slow efforts to seal a remaining stretch of the Turkish-Syrian border to foreign fighters and oil smugglers.

Syria

Will Israel, Russia tighten coordination on Syria?

Israeli security officials debate whether Russian military involvement in Syria will change the balance of power in favor of Israeli interests or against them.

Israel

US threatens to bypass Baghdad, arm Sunnis against IS

Congress and the Obama administration are demanding that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi do more to combat sectarianism.

Iraq

Beirut bombing brings Lebanon's political parties together

The Nov. 12 suicide bombing in Beirut failed to sow discord among Lebanese political parties and actually seemed to bring them closer temporarily, but their disagreements run too deep to allow for sustained cooperation.

Lebanon

Erdogan more isolated than ever on Syria

The Turkish president is on the defensive after Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian warplane; the Syrian war enters a more dangerous phase.

Saudi Arabia

Meetings between Turkish, Russian military reveal that Moscow had been warned

Turkey and Russia both seem determined to obtain the dominant position in shaping Syria's future.

Syria

Congress threatens to shut down government over Syrian refugees

A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Nov. 30.

Iraq

How Turkey's new minimum wage may end up hurting employees

Employers who don’t want to pay Turkey's pending minimum wage increase are threatening to relocate facilities or hire illegal Syrian workers for low wages.

Syria

After shooting down Russian jet, what's next for Turkey?

The Syrian army offensive backed by Russia in the region northeast of Latakia and the downing of a Russian Su-24 by Turkey leaves many to wonder which scenario will play out in the coming weeks .

Syria

Are Turkey, Saudi Arabia pressuring Jordan on terror blacklist?

Jordan has been tasked with overseeing which groups fighting in Syria are designated as terrorist organizations, but its mission is complicated by alliances in the region.

Saudi Arabia

Is Lebanon preparing to support Russia's intervention in Syria?

When Russia asked airlines in Lebanon to change their routes for conducting military drills to ensure air traffic safety, the matter was blown out of proportion to the point that some considered Russia to have violated Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Lebanon