Analysis Seeking leeway on Gaza, Netanyahu backs Trump’s Syria pact push The US is working intensively to arrange a historic meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Syrian President Sharaa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis From Palestine push to Sharaa’s UN debut: What to watch at UN summit The annual international get-together will feature a wave of Palestinian statehood recognition, the Syrian president’s United Nations debut and possible 11th-hour diplomacy with Iran. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen steps down after six years Pedersen is leaving as Syria continues to grapple with political upheaval, humanitarian crises and ongoing conflict. Syria
In first visit in 25 years, Syrian FM pushes sanctions relief in Washington Asaad al-Shibani’s visit to Washington comes as Syria seeks sanctions relief and engages in US-mediated talks with Israel on a security agreement. Syria
Five bodies likely killed by IS found in mass grave in Aleppo A mass grave was found in Azaz in the northern countryside of Aleppo, containing the remains of people who were believed to have been killed during the Islamic State control of the area in 2016. Syria
Fires engulf displacement camps in northern Syria during heat wave Northern Syria is experiencing a heat wave, which is taking a heavy toll on camps for displaced persons who face chronic diseases, wildfires and water scarcity. Syria
Christians in Syria's Idlib hold major Mass Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has allowed the reopening of a church in Idlib countryside months after HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani met with the Christian community in the area — in what many see as a bid to brand himself a moderate and gain outside support. Syria
Syrian jihadist group HTS accused of blocking married women from studying Women face all sorts of rights’ deprivation in northwest Syria, and this has appeared most recently in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s moves to ban married women from enrolling in schools. Syria
How realistic is Erdogan’s vision for security belt from Syria to Iraq? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is bent on creating an “end-to-end” security belt along Turkey’s southern borders with Syria and Iraq — a vision too ambitious given the political and topographic conditions of the areas in question. Turkey
Syrian opposition fears more Russian attacks in Idlib to pressure Turkey Russia has escalated its attack against Idlib, as the Syrian opposition fears that Moscow will resort to further escalation after talks about rapprochement attempts between Turkey and the Syrian government. Syria
Idlib farmers harvest figs amid shelling, landmines Farmers in the Jabal al-Zawiya area that has recently witnessed escalating bombardment by Syrian government and Russian forces, are braving dangers to harvest their fig crops. Syria
Falling waters of Euphrates, Tigris rivers reveal submerged archaeological sites The drop of the water levels in recent years has uncovered many archaeological and ancient sites that were submerged beneath the two historic rivers in Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Syria
US strikes Iran-backed militias in Syria for third day The White House sought to halt attacks on American troops in Syria by authorizing airstrikes on a depot used by the IRGC. Local militias have responded by firing more rockets. Syria
US airstrikes target bunkers used by Iran-linked militias in Syria US President Joe Biden authorized the strikes in a bid to deter harassment of US troops in Iraq and Syria. Syria
Islamic State threatens Kurdish workers in northeast Syria The Islamic State is threatening to kill employees in the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor if they continue to report to their jobs. Syria
Turkey signals new rules of engagement to Syrian Kurds, Damascus Turkish strikes on Syrian government troops and overt Kurdish attacks on targets inside Turkey signal that both sides are changing the rules of the game as Ankara eyes normalization with Damascus. Turkey