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Analysis

Israel builds flexible presence in Syria as window opens to strike Iran

Israeli leaders keep stressing that the military presence in the buffer zone and on Mount Hermon is temporary, but a lot will depend on who will control Syria hence on

By Ben Caspit

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

A Russian soldier stands next to submarines at the Russian naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus on Sept. 26, 2019.

Russia, HTS in ‘direct contact’ to keep bases in Syria: What we know

Russia is reaching out to the new forces in Syria in a bid to maintain its military bases in the country, citing the ongoing threat of the Islamic State.

Syria

Analysis

In Syria, China not beholden to Assad but alarmed over Uyghur links to HTS

While Assad's regional policies were in semblance with China’s when it came to supporting the Palestinians, defying US policy and shoring up ties with Iran, it was Bashar’s cronyism, his mishandling of the war and the economy that made him less of a strategic asset for Beijing.

By Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

People examine documents at Sednaya Prison, where thousands of people were said to be detained and tortured by the Assad regime.

After Assad downfall, US family clings to hope as Syria prison search unfolds

The daughter of Majd Kamalmaz, an American citizen presumed dead in Syria, describes her anguish as she awaits answers on what happened to her father.

Syria

How HTS leader in Syria's Idlib is attempting a makeover

The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib has been making appearances in the streets and public places among the people in a bid to present himself as a political leader.

Syria

Latest News

Turkey’s intel chief in Damascus, set to meet Syria's transition, HTS leaders

An aerial view shows a Syrian man waving the independence-era Syrian flag at Damascus' central Umayyad Square, on Dec. 11, 2024.

Turkey

Iran agrees to stricter nuclear monitoring as US raises concerns

This handout image supplied by the IIPA shows a view of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant as the first fuel is loaded, on Aug. 21, 2010.

Iran

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Trump wavers on two-state solution but foresees Israel-Palestine deal

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a reception at the New York Stock Exchange after being named Time's “Person of the Year” for the second time on Dec. 12, 2024 in New York City.

United States

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Syria’s Kurds withdraw from Manbij following US ultimatum

Fighters with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inspect damaged and abandoned military vehicles and equipment at the Qamishli international airport, formerly a joint Syrian-russian military base, in northeastern Syria's city of Qamishli on Dec. 9, 2024.

By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba

Israeli troops deploy inside the UN-patrolled buffer zone that is supposed to separate Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights.

Israel orders troops to 'prepare to remain' in Syria buffer zone through winter

Agence France-Presse

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arriving in Baghdad, in an unannounced stop on a regional tour to discuss Syria

On Syria tour, Blinken pledges to work with Iraq against IS jihadists

Agence France-Presse

Many people held Syria's independence-era flag as they celebrated Friday prayers at the Umayyad Mosque

'Syria freed!': thousands cheer at famed Damascus mosque

Agence France-Presse

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

'Imperative' to work against IS in Syria, Blinken tells Turkey

Agence France-Presse

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Turkish lawmaker Cengiz Candar: 'Turkey's endgame is to destroy Kurdish autonomy in Syria'

Amberin Zaman interviews Cengiz Candar

38:22

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

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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

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

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

Rojhelat Afrin

Women’s Protection Units Commander in Chief

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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

In Syria, China not beholden to Assad but alarmed over Uyghur links to HTS

By Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Analysis

Tom Barrack, Trump's pick for Turkey ambassador, is good news for Erdogan

CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack speaks on the last day of the Republican National Convention, on July 21, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Analysis

Iran pursues wait-and-see approach in Syria as it copes with Assad's downfall

TOPSHOT - An aerial picture shows members of Syria's White Helmets civil defence service clearing vehicle carcasses and rubble from a street in Aleppo on December 5, 2024. Islamist-led rebels captured the central Syrian city of Hama on December 5, days after seizing the country's commercial hub Aleppo in a lightning offensive against President Bashar al-Assad's forces. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Israel builds flexible presence in Syria as window opens to strike Iran

By Ben Caspit

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

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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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