Interview US oil firm HKN aims to double output in Syria's 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
Jihadi group raises prices in Syria’s Idlib as war rages in Ukraine While some believe the Russian war on Ukraine has upped prices in northwest Syria, others accuse Hayat Tahrir al-Sham of exploiting the crisis to make gains. Syria
Child kidnappings haunt civilians in Syria’s Daraa Civilians in Syria’s southern province of Daraa are living in constant fear amid increasing cases of kidnappings. Syria
Analysis Ukraine war stirs fears Russia could weaponize Syria aid As Russia wages war in Ukraine, concerns are mounting that Moscow will use its UN Security Council veto powers to dismantle what remains of cross-border aid operations into Syria. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Despite unrest, northwest Syria shows baby boom Births are rising in northwest Syria, including in the displacement camps despite conditions often not being suitable for babies and mothers. Syria
Biden administration to announce sanctions waivers for Syrian Kurds, Sunni opposition-held areas Sanctions exemptions are aimed at expediting humanitarian aid and diminishing the economic damage in certain areas. Syria
Lawmakers urge US action on Syria's crisis-hit Rukban camp The Biden administration faces congressional pressure to help desperate civilians stranded in the Syrian camp near Jordan. Syria
Jihadis in Idlib bash Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for role in Ukraine war Chechen jihadis in Syria seek to join the forces defending Ukraine against Russia while condemning the participation of pro-Russian and leader of Russia's Chechnya region Ramzan Kadyrov in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Syria
Residents in north Syria grow angry at Turkish-backed rebels over rise in bombings The wave of assassinations reflects the failure of the Turkish-backed opposition factions to secure the area in north Syria, while their members are accused of facilitating these operations by turning a blind eye on smuggling operations from regime and Kurdish-held areas. Syria
Will Russia turn to Syrian mercenaries for its Ukraine fight? Evidence is emerging that the Syrian government and its Russian military partners are recruiting Syrian fighters for potential deployment to the former Soviet state. Syria
CBS hacked after reporter says Ukraine ‘relatively civilized’ compared to Iraq Western media comparisons of the war in Ukraine to the Middle East have been widely criticized. Iraq
Family ties fuel Islamic State to rebel pipeline in northern Syria The stories of fighters who turned from the Islamic State to Syria's rebel opposition forces show the how kinship ties, regionalism, and material concerns often trump ideology in the Syrian war. Syria
White Helmets chief reflects on Syria’s lessons for Ukraine Raed al-Saleh, who leads the volunteer rescue group in Syria, offered advice to Ukrainians seeking to document Russia's potential war crimes in real time. Syria