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A picture taken on March 2, 2017, shows a sign displaying the routes to Palmyra-Deir Ezzor and Damascus-Iraq as Syrian regime fighters advance to retake the ancient city of Palmyra, from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus

The Islamic State attack that killed US personnel has deepened uncertainty over Washington’s Syria policy, pushing Ankara to accelerate efforts to integrate the SDF into the Syrian military.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Representatives exit the US Capitol, Washington, DC, Dec. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Syrians relieved as Caesar sanctions lifted, but recovery may take time

For the first time in years, Syrians can realistically imagine an economy that functions — one that can import without fear, contract without workarounds and rebuild with real capital.

By Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Irem Guler has documented the walls of Turkey for two decades. — Irem Guler

Culture

Suck my walls: One woman’s archive of Turkey’s street art

From the Marmaray underpasses to the erased slogans in Gezi Park, Irem Guler has spent two decades documenting Turkey’s graffiti and street art, tracing how it is made, claimed and erased.

Turkey

A destroyed Syrian army battle tank lies abandoned near the ancient ruins of Palmyra in central Syria on Feb. 7, 2025.

US bombs ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for Palmyra insider attack

The Islamic State has not claimed direct credit for the ambush by a member of Syria's domestic security forces that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last week.

Syria

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Beijing, May 2, 2017.

Analysis

Wang Yi’s tour signals China’s quiet push for influence beyond trade

The Chinese foreign minister's visits underscored a strategy of leveraging trade and energy ties with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to expand its political and diplomatic influence.

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Latest News

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iran warns of Israeli plots in Syria amid its own anxieties over lost leverage

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, permanent representative of Iran to the UN, gives a statement after a UN Security Council meeting on June 13, 2025, in New York City.

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi clasp hands as they speak to the press before their meeting on October 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. President Trump is in Egypt to meet with European and Middle Eastern leaders in what’s being billed as an international peace summit, following the start of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

By Ben Caspit

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

Second Lebanon-Israel meeting agrees to strengthen Lebanese army: What to know

Lebanon

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People fleeing El-Fasher have sought shelter in Um Yanqur camp in Tawila

From the Andes to Darfur: Colombians lured to Sudan's killing fields

Agence France-Presse

FILE PHOTO: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam speaks to journalists at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

Lebanon close to completing disarmament of Hezbollah south of Litani River, says PM

Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the plenum of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

Netanyahu plans to brief Trump on possible new Iran strikes, NBC News reports

Reuters

Trump said it was retaliation for the December 13 attack that killed two US soldiers and a US civilian

Syria monitor says US strikes killed at least five IS members

Agence France-Presse

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Analysis

After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza?

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Iran warns of Israeli plots in Syria amid its own anxieties over lost leverage

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Analysis

Syrians relieved as Caesar sanctions lifted, but recovery may take time

By Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Amberin Zaman, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Danny Makki, Joyce Karam in a virtual discussion on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington

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