Syria Conflict

Syria's security directorate in al-Bukamal seized SAM-7 missiles being prepared for smuggling into Iraq, on Dec. 22, 2025.

Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know

The Syrian government is stepping up efforts to combat arms smuggling, including in relation to Hezbollah, Kurdish-led forces and ISIS.

Turkish Foreign Ministery Press Service / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey denies internal rifts as top officials in Syria ahead of SDF deadline

Turkey’s ruling party denies there are internal rifts over the Syrian Democratic Forces and insists that the Kurdish-led group must disarm.

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.

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

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.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

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.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

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

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

Senate vote paves way for Trump to repeal Syria’s Caesar sanctions

People shop in a market on June 17, 2025 in Damascus, Syria.

Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know

The Internal Security Directorate in the Zabadani area of rural Damascus thwarted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and seized large quantities of RPG shells that were hidden in an organized manner and prepared for smuggling towards Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2025.

A picture shows destruction following Syrian government shelling in Idlib, Syria's last major rebel stronghold, Sept. 8, 2021.

Syrian jihadist group, Turkish-backed opposition reportedly consider merger

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions have reportedly received instructions to deploy in Idlib soon, amid reports that a merger with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is imminent.

A Syrian man walks past destruction in the northern city of Aleppo on March 22, 2013.

Syrian opposition chief: US sanctions a deterrent for Turkish proxy fighters

During an interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian National Coalition President Salem al-Meslet discussed recent US sanctions on Ahrar al-Sharqiya, the human rights situation in northern Syria and the US military presence in the war-torn country.

AFP via Getty Images

Russia ramps up strikes on Islamic State in Syrian desert

Moscow is intensifying its airstrikes on Islamic State targets in the Syrian desert.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart following their meeting in Moscow on Oct. 6, 2021.

The Takeaway: Khamenei warns neighboring Azerbaijan over Israel ties

Egypt’s Nile encroachers; Morocco and Ethiopia; Turkey and Syria; Israel’s looming budget showdown; Lebanon’s zoo animals; Egyptian mummy faces revealed; Gilles Kepel talks with Alaa Alaswany — all in about 1,400 words!

Saleh al-Baradei, a Lebanese police officer kidnapped along with four soldiers by Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, celebrates with relatives after his release on Aug. 31, 2014.

Lebanese court sentences Syrian fighters to death

The men partook in the 2014 attack by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra on the Lebanese army in the town of Arsal, according to the Lebanese military.

Abdullah

Jordan’s king, Syria’s leader speak by phone for first time in decade

Jordan is emerging as a chief advocate of restoring ties with Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) listens to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad delivering a speech during their press conference at Ciragan Palace on June 7, 2010 in Istanbul.

After Jordan, will Turkey take the plunge with Assad?

After the Jordanian king spoke by phone with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the first time since the Syrian conflict began over 10 years ago, Turks are now asking if Ankara will be next to reconcile.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on Sept. 29, 2021.

Erdogan's personalized diplomacy with Putin may have been point of Sochi summit

The latest summit between the Turkish and Russian presidents in Sochi may have been more about style than substance.

The empty seat of Syria is seen during an emergency representatives meeting to discuss the conflict in Libya, at the Arab League headquarters, Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 5, 2015.

Egypt steps up efforts to 'restore Syria's position in the Arab world'

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met his Syrian counterpart during the UN General Assembly meetings in New York last week, the first such meeting since the outbreak of the Syrian war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on Sept. 29, 2021.

Putin, Erdogan hold closed-door summit in Sochi

Few details were released about the substance of the relatively brief meeting, but progress on Syria will be difficult to achieve.

Iran's President's Ebrahim Raisi remotely addresses the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 21, 2021, in New York.

The Takeaway: What will it take to jumpstart Iran nuclear talks?

Jihadi spat in Idlib; Palestinians’ fashion feud; Lapid pivots left; Palestinians reject Armenian land sale in Jerusalem; Turkey’s generals and Syria; Qatari artist bemoans plastic pollution; and more! In less than 1,200 words.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Top generals step down in ominous sign for Turkish military in Syria

Top generals in charge of Turkey’s military operations in Syria have sought retirement amid escalating tensions in Idlib, fueling questions over Ankara’s Syria policies.