Analysis Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
A year on, uncertainty shadows Washington's bet on Syria The Trump administration has embraced Syria's new leadership, but engagement is being tested by security risks and unresolved questions about Damascus' control. Syria
Analysis In 2025, Netanyahu saved his coalition but stalled on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon With 2025 ending, Israelis are frustrated over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to fully end the Gaza war, solve the Hezbollah problem, reach a deal with Syria or find a way to constructively impact talks on the Iranian nuclear program. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syria's Shibani talks defense, economic ties with Russia's Putin during Moscow visit The visit is the second to Russia for Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra, and follows other signs of rapprochement. Syria
Analysis Syrians relieved as Caesar sanctions lifted, but recovery may take time By Danny Makki In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture
Pentagon weighs options to deter Russians in Syria After Russian forces in Syria appeared to be heading toward oil fields, the Pentagon proposed deploying tanks as a measure to guard the installations, a US official told Al-Monitor. Iraq
How Iran sees Russia-Turkey deal on northeastern Syria Iran's exclusion from the Turkey-Russia talks on northern Syria reflected its lack of leverage on the matter, but Tehran welcomed the agreement forged, especially its support for the Adana Agreement. Syria
Trump administration scrambles to salvage US troop presence in Syria President Trump says he would leave some US troops in Syria to keep the Assad regime and Iranian forces away from oil fields; the Syrian Democratic Forces commander speaks with both Trump and the Russian army chief of staff. Iraq
Weakened US sanctions threat lingers in wake of Turkish deal with Russia Possible US sanctions on Turkey are looming as fighting subsides in northeast Syria and Kurdish forces draw back following an agreement between Ankara and Moscow. Syria
Erdogan still under fire in Iran despite Syria agreement While Iran's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Russia-Turkey agreement on Syria, the Turkish president remains in hot water over the offensive he launched against Syrian Kurds. Syria
US faces new facts on the ground as cease-fire expires Russia and Turkey strike a deal on a safe zone as the Syrian Democratic Forces told the Donald Trump administration that Kurdish forces had withdrawn from the Turkish border today in accord with a US-brokered agreement. Iraq
Turkey, Russia both claim win in Syria agreement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to get what he wants regarding the Kurdish People's Protection Units, and Russia appears to gain yet more influence in Syria; has Idlib become a pawn in Turkish-Russian negotiations? Iraq
Turkish-backed fighters laud success of suspended Operation Peace Spring Turkish-backed fighters say the Kurdish dominated People's Protection Units (YPG) better withdraw from the safe zone within the 120-hour deadline under the Oct. 17 US-Turkish Operation Peace Spring agreement or else. Syria
Congress calls on US to scout nuclear alternatives to Turkey base Congress has tucked a provision into a bill to sanction Turkey for its two-week incursion into northern Syria that would study the possibility of removing US nuclear weapons and troops from Incirlik Air Base. Syria
How local groups, volunteers are helping displaced in northern Syria Local organizations and volunteers are mobilizing efforts to cater to the needs of thousands of displaced who fled the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria. Syria
'Majority' of US troops depart Syria A convoy of US troops departed northeast Syria today, a spokesman for the US-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State told Al-Monitor. Syria
What is the effect of Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring on Lebanon? In the wake of Turkey’s offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria, the Arab League and several Arab governments, including Lebanon, condemned the invasion; however, the opinions of people across Lebanese society have been much less clear-cut. Lebanon
