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YPJ Commander in Chief Rojhelat Afrin pictured at YPJ headquarters near Al-Hasakh with YPJ spokesperson Heval Roksana and YPJ Field Commander Heval Kurdistan, Nov. 23, 204.

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US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

As Islamic State militants reportedly made advances in Syria on Thursday, the commander in chief of the Women’s Protection Units warned in an exclusive interview that the group’s plans included taking “over entire villages.”

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US soldiers inspect the site of reported Turkish shelling days earlier on an oil extraction facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan, in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakeh province on Oct. 28, 2024.

Three US troops in Syria evaluated for brain injuries after Deir ez-Zor incident

It remains unclear whether the injured American troops were involved in supporting a nearby effort by US-backed militia to oust pro-Assad forces from local villages east of the Euphrates River.

Syria

Syrian rebels take control of Hama in major blow to Assad

Government and rebel forces had been fighting over the strategic city for days after the latter seized Aleppo.

Syria

Turkey’s Erdogan ups rhetoric, says Assad must ‘urgently engage' with rebels

Erdogan is urging the Syrian government to urgently launch a dialogue with rebels in a bid to end the civil war after insurgents captured Hama.

Turkey

What US airstrike means for Washington’s Syria policy

As allies express cautious approval of the US airstrike in Syria, the United States says its targeted action does not signal a broader shift to military regime change.

Syria

Latest News

Analysis

Rebel offensive to force Syria onto Trump’s agenda

An anti-government fighter covers his ears as a multi-barrel rocket launcher fires against regime forces, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on Dec. 4, 2024.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Analysis

Syrian rebel offensive worries Gulf states as they rally around Assad

[2/7]Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates March 19, 2023. Abdulla Al Neyadi/UAE Presidential Court/WAM

By Giorgio Cafiero

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Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza

Palestinian men carry a body retrieved from under the rubble following their return to Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, after Israeli shelling of the camp stopped, Nov. 29, 2024.

Palestine

Turkey ends probe into Meta over Threads data sharing

Turkey

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein welcomes his Syrian counterpart Bassam al-Sabbagh ahead of a meeting in Baghdad

Iraq PM says keeping up diplomacy to 'contain crisis' in Syria

Agence France-Presse

Syria's Christian community has dwindled since the start of the civil war in 2011

Islamist rebels seek to assure Christians in Syria's Aleppo

Agence France-Presse

People check the damage outside the Kamal Adwan hospital in north Gaza's Beit Lahia following a reported Israeli raid

North Gaza hospital director says Israeli strikes hit facility

Agence France-Presse

A Syrian rebel fighter cheers as he enters the central city of Hama

Syria rebel leader says goal is to overthrow Assad

Agence France-Presse

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The Al-Monitor Brief

How does US view the rebel advance in Syria?

Adam Lucente interviews Elizabeth Hagedorn & Jared Szuba

13:40

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

How Turkey is playing with fire in Syria with its backing of new anti-Assad offensive

Amberin Zaman interviews Fabrice Balanche

26:24

On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman

What will Middle East policy look like under the new Trump administration?

Amberin Zaman interviews Jim Jeffrey

ALM Interviews

Exclusive conversations with Al-Monitor.

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Interview

Lebanon’s ex-spymaster says Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire close

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Former Lebanese intelligence chief

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

Interview

Senior Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub calls for 'Marshall-like plan' to rebuild Gaza

Jibril Rajoub

Fatah Central Committee Secretary-General

Interview

Syrian Kurd FM Ilham Ahmed says PKK leader Ocalan's words of 'vital importance'

Ilham Ahmed

Co-President of the Executive Council of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria

ALM Memos

Executive briefs that lay out scenarios on key issues.

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This picture taken on December 18, 2018 shows a view of electricity transmission towers in the Saudi capital Riyadh. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's electricity sector to see significant transformation by 2030

Gerald Kepes

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy trends

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: A container ship departs the Port of Newark for the Atlantic Ocean on September 30, 2024 seen from New York City. A massive strike that could shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts could begin at midnight as members of the International Longshoremen’s Association continue to make salary and other demands to the United States Maritime Alliance, which controls many of the ports across the country. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Red Sea, Iran energy threats amplify 2025 global economic risks as trade wars, Trump loom

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Cars drive along a street in front of high-rise buildings in Dubai, on February 18, 2023. - Home to towering skyscrapers and ultra-luxury villas, Dubai saw record real estate transactions in 2022, largely due to an influx of wealthy investors, especially from Russia. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE aims to attract family offices to boost stature as wealth hub

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Analysis

Stay a step ahead of your colleagues.

Analysis

Syrian rebel offensive worries Gulf states as they rally around Assad

By Giorgio Cafiero

Analysis

With eye on Iran, Israel wary of Syria rebels offensive, prefers Assad

An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadis and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on Nov. 30, 2024.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Could Israel preserve Lebanon ceasefire while retaliating against Hezbollah?

An Israeli tank is transported to a position in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, Sept. 29, 2024.

By Ben Caspit

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

Analysis

Rebel offensive to force Syria onto Trump’s agenda

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

ALM Events

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Past Live Journalism

UAE presidential advisor HE Dr. Anwar Gargash speaks at Al-Monitor event during UNGA

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, Al-Monitor hosted HE Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, for an off-the-record dinner and discussion at Le Jardinier of the Bastion Collection. The event was attended by thought and business leaders as well as former officials.

New York City, NY

September 26, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Iraq PM Sudani speaks at Al-Monitor/US Chamber of Commerce event during UNGA

At an event hosted by Al-Monitor and the US Chamber of Commerce, the prime minister discussed Iraq’s plan to achieve energy independence by 2030 and his desire to drawdown the US military presence in the country.

New York City, NY

September 25, 2024 18:00 EDT

Past Live Journalism

Salon conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to the US Sedat Önal

Al-Monitor hosted the ambassador of Turkey to the United States, Sedat Önal, for an off-the-record discussion on a wide range of topics such as Turkey-US relations, the Gaza war and Turkey's military intervention in Syria. The event was attended by guests from media, private business, and government.

Washington, DC

September 12, 2024 16:00 EDT

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