Russia in Syria

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - JULY 16: Members of Syria's civil defense work amid the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Syria's defence ministry headquarters on July 16, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. A spokesperson from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes have targeted the headquarters of Syria's defence ministry and a site near the presidential palace in Damascus. The strikes come amid an escalation in conflict between Syrian government forces and Druze militia in the southern Sy

Analysis

Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction?

The trip signals strong support for the new Syrian government, as President Sharaa seeks the breakthroughs needed to end economic isolation and speed up reconstruction, while US sanctions continue to paralyze investment.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/AFP via Getty Images

Even as Putin shields Assad, Syria’s Sharaa seeks to 'redefine' Moscow ties

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow in a visit overshadowed by the presence of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Russia and Moscow’s attempts to maintain its military presence in Syria.

His Excellency the President of the Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa, meets at the People's Palace in the capital, Damascus, with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Novak.

Russia sends second Syria delegation since Assad’s fall to safeguard military interests

Russia has been engaged with Syria’s new authorities as it seeks to maintain its presence and role in the region after the fall of its long-time ally, President Bashar al-Assad, last year.

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa holds a joint press conference with the Turkish president following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on Feb. 4, 2025.

As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions

The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

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Analysis

Pragmatism outweighs animosity as Syrian, Russian FMs bargain at Kremlin

Shibani and Lavrov

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syria FM heads to Russia in first high-level Moscow visit post Assad

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani looks on as he leaves following a press conference and a meeting with French President at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 7, 2025. Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Paris on May 7, state media reported, on his first visit to Europe since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israeli FM's Ukraine visit signals shift from Russia to anti-Iran alignment

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga (L) shakes hands with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in Kyiv on July 23, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP) (Photo by TETIANA DZHAFAROVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

In Azerbaijan, Syria’s Sharaa extends reach to South Caucasus, worries Iran

Sharaa Baku

Emil Avdaliani

By Emil Avdaliani

An engineer from the Israeli company Commun.it uses his expertise in social media commercial analysis to identify networks of fake users, Bnei Brak, Israel, Jan. 23, 2019.

Israel asks Russia to prevent interference in elections

The Shin Bet requested recently Russia to help block any hacking attempts of the upcoming general elections in Israel.

SERGEI SAVOSTYANOV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan hopes Putin summit will greenlight Turkey's new Syria operation

Ankara’s central role in facilitating the Russia-Ukraine grain deal could strengthen its hand in securing Moscow’s acceptance of a Turkish military incursion.

A Syrian man whose shop was destroyed in a regime aerial bombardment the previous day walks around the area on May 15, 2019.

Syrian escalation risks all-out conflict involving Turkey, Russia, Iran

A military escalation on all axes and from all sides in Syria followed the Tehran summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shows the way to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Sept. 21, 2015.

Putin stars in Israeli election campaigns

The diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Moscow offered opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu an angle for attacking Prime Minister Yair Lapid.

Putin Raisi

Why Iran-Russia relations likely won’t go beyond cooperation in Syria

Putin’s recent trip to Tehran was a PR win for the Russian president, but is unlikely to result in any further concessions for Iran.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (not pictured) inside Number 10 Downing Street, London, England, Nov. 23, 2021.

Israel rushes to de-escalate diplomatic crisis with Russia

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is now trying to discreetly resolve the diplomatic dispute between Moscow and Jerusalem so that the Jewish Agency can continue its activities there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L), Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (C) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan returns empty-handed from talks with Putin, Raisi

Erdogan fails to enlist Russian and Iranian support for a fresh Turkish military operation in Syria, but he remains bent on maintaining the pressure.

Turkey military

Erdogan vows to move forward with Syria operation despite objections from Iran, Russia

Turkey’s president remains adamant despite opposition from US, Russia, Iran, Syria.

A Jewish Ukranian woman waves the Israeli flag as she disembarks from an aircaft carryng Jewish immigrants after fleeing the Russian invasion, Tel Aviv, Israel, March 6, 2022.

Israel concerned Russia may create obstacles to Jewish emigration

Two weeks after a letter to that effect, Jerusalem fears that Moscow is serious in its intention to shut down Jewish Agency activities of helping Jewish immigration to Israel.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Breaking | Last Updated: July 12, 2022, 11:32 am

UN Security Council extends Syria cross-border aid for six months

Aid agencies say the short-term extension puts more than 4 million Syrian lives on the line.

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Russia vetoes UN measure renewing aid to northwest Syria

"People will die because of this vote," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said of the Security Council's failure to reauthorize the cross-border mechanism.

A Syrian woman with her child walks near a Syrian-bound truck loaded with humanitarian aid.

4 million Syrians on brink of starvation as UN aid mechanism draws to close

Millions of Syrians are helplessly waiting in desperation as UN aid entry into Syria draws to an end amid expectations that Russia will veto a resolution authorizing cross-border aid into the war-torn country.