Interview US oil firm HKN aims to double output in Syria's formerly Kurdish-run fields HKN Vice President Matthew Zais tells Al-Monitor the company plans to double production at Syria’s northeastern oil fields while tackling pollution, as questions remain over the future of the Kurdish-run Jazira Oil Company. Matthew Zais HKN vice president for government affairs
Iraq's Zaidi meets Sharaa on first Syria visit: What to know Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has sought to assuage concerns about his past militant activity in Iraq, whose oil trade and security cooperation with his two country is rising. Iraq
Syria slams Jordan over crossborder strikes, denies coordination: What to know Jordan said its airstrikes targeted ISIS fighters, while Syria said civilians were killed, sparking outrage. Syria
Culture Syrian women easy target in Sharaa’s drive to consolidate power Syria’s interim president is balancing Western demands for inclusion with pressure from Islamist hard-liners as he seeks to consolidate power and shed his jihadi past. Syria
Analysis What’s at stake for Turkey as Israel heads to the polls? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How Israel’s elections could bring thaw with Syria By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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. Turkey
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. Turkey
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. Egypt
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. Russia
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. Iran
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. Turkey
Russia bombs Turkey's allies in Syria ahead of Putin-Erdogan summit Russian jets shelled a camp for the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army in Afrin, north of Aleppo, and intensified its airstrikes against the areas controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib ahead of the meeting between the Turkish and Russian presidents on Sept. 29. Syria
Syria to be key topic in Erdogan-Putin summit The Turkish and Russian presidents are expected to discuss Syria in Sochi, as well as Ukraine, anti-missile batteries and natural gas. Turkey
Jordan to reopen border crossing with Syria Jordan closed the Jaber border crossing in August due to security concerns amid fighting in southern Syria. Jordan originally supported the Syrian opposition in the civil war but has moved closer to the government recently. News Brief
Syrian Kurds, opposition take cases to Washington Delegations from Kurdish-held northeast Syria and the Turkey-backed Syrian National Coalition will meet separately with US officials this week. Syria
Syrian officials, SDF look to Russia for support against Turkey Opposition group granted 'positive' meeting in Moscow as all sides wait to learn next US move in the region. Syria
UN says at least 350K killed in Syria’s war, 'certainly an undercount' The United Nations' human rights office on Friday updated the death toll from Syria's civil war for the first time since August 2014. Syria
