Syria Conflict

Members of the Jerusalem Armenian community hold placards as they march during commemorations for the 94th anniversary of mass killings of their kin under the Ottoman Empire, Jerusalem's Old City, April 24, 2009.

Explainer

Israel's Armenian genocide recognition marks new front against Turkey

Analysts say the expected vote for recognition is not morally motivated, but intended to spite the Turkish leader.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections

The decision affects some 6,100 Syrians who live in the United States.

Amjad Kurdo / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Explainer

Syria’s energy push could soon get a major boost from Chevron: What to know

The country's leaders are seeking to translate a flurry of oil and gas agreements into concrete investments and rebuild an industry devastated by more than a decade of war, sanctions and isolation.

Defendant Wassim al-Assad appears before the Fourth Criminal Court during the opening session of his trial in Damascus on June 24, 2026.

Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know

The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants.

Latest News

Culture

Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup

Germany's forward #26 Deniz Undav (2nd R), an ethnic Kurd, scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 20, 2026.

Syria announces direct flights to Amsterdam as Europe links expand

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Syria’s Sharaa says he had ‘multiple discussions’ with Trump on Lebanon, favors dialogue

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, Nov. 10, 2025.

Syrian Kurd commander Kobane kicks off European tour amid scrutiny from Damascus

Mazloum Abdi (Kobani), commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks with AFP during an interview in the countryside outside the northwestern Syrian city of Hasakah, in the province of the same name, on January 24, 2019. - Any deal between Syria's Kurds and the Damascus regime should respect the "special status" of Kurdish-led forces who fought the Islamic State (IS) group, Kobani said. The SDF control around a third of Syria after expelling jihadists from a large northeastern swathe of t

Women are seen walking at the Roj Camp in northeast Syria, on April 8, 2025.

Exclusive

Syria's Kurds say Trump aid cuts are feeding radicalism in ISIS camps

In an interview at Syria’s Roj camp, the head of intelligence for the Women’s Protection Units warns that US funding cuts are fueling a resurgence of ISIS ideology among detained women and children, deepening an already volatile security crisis.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US forces patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Sept. 3, 2024.

US weighs plans to slash troop presence in Syria by more than half

Fewer than 1,000 US troops could remain in the country in order to retain limited oversight of ISIS prisons controlled by Kurdish-led forces across the country’s northeast, according to officials briefed on the latest plans.

Israeli tanks take position near the fence with the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from the rest of Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams on Dec. 8, 2024.

Analysis

Can Trump prevent Israel, Turkey from clashing in Syria?

Seeing opportunity in a new nuclear deal with Iran and eager to avoid entanglement in Syria, Trump appears to finally be making moves toward Middle East engagement. But don't call it a policy yet.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

An Israeli military tank moves to a position during a drill in the annexed Golan Heights on November 9, 2023, amid increasing cross-border tensions between Hezbollah and Israel as fighting continues in the south with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Fidan says Turkey-Israel deconfliction talks over Syria underway: What to know

As the two countries have initiated deconfliction talks, Israel sets a red line on military deployments near Palmyra.

Yusuf Hamra

Feature

Syrian Jews urge US sanctions relief to revive ancient community

For Syria's Jewish diaspora, the country's economic crisis stands in the way of restoring their ancient heritage.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

An Israeli soldier checks a Merkava battle tank deployed at a position in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria on March 25, 2025.

Analysis

Israel expanding Syria operations: Buffer zone or open-ended campaign?

Syria's options for responding to Israeli military's actions are limited as the war-torn country seeks international acceptance, according to experts.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

An anti-aircraft missile at a Syrian army position near the city of al-Safira, south of Aleppo, January 3, 2025, following reported Israeli strikes.

Analysis

Turkey's defense strategy in Syria: Stability, not confrontation with Israel

Turkey's military presence in Syria is focused on territorial integrity and regional security, which could align with long-term Israeli interests despite tensions between Turkey and Israel.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Golan

Analysis

As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey?

Israel is concerned not only about the intentions of the new Syrian regime, but also about Turkey's growing presence and influence in the region.

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

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan addresses the audience during a press briefing to share insights regarding regional and global developments, Istanbul, January 10, 2025.

Fidan says Turkey not seeking 'any confrontation' with Israel over Syria

“Syrian security should be decided by the Syrians,” Fidan said, including whether Damascus wants to reach understandings with the Israelis.

This picture taken from Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria shows smoke billowing above the Syrian village of Koayiah during Israeli bombardment, on March 25, 2025.

Israel carries out airstrikes in Damascus, Homs, Hama as Syria tensions flare

Israel is upping its military action against Syria despite protests from the new government in Damascus.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech in Damascus on March 29, 2025. Sharaa on March 29 announced a new transitional government dominated by close allies and including one woman, replacing caretaker authorities in place since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

US says Syria's transitional government a possible step forward

The State Department voiced cautious optimism over the new cabinet, which includes members of Syria’s Christian, Alawite, Druze and Kurdish minorities.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Chinese Ambassador to Damascus Shi Hongwei on Feb. 22, 2025.

Analysis

As China opens to Sharaa, Uyghurs and reconstruction shadow future ties with Syria

China’s approach to Syria will likely hinge on what the new government does about the Uyghurs in its ranks.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East