Skip to main content

Syria’s leverage over Putin

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa landed in Moscow Wednesday as the Kremlin seeks to secure the future of its military bases in the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa shake hands during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 28, 2026. (MAXIM SHIPENKOV / AFP via Getty Images)

Welcome back to the Daily Briefing.

In today’s edition:

  • Syria's Sharaa in Moscow as Putin pushes for ongoing military access
  • Trump threatens to cut off Iraq aid
  • Economic cost of Iran's draconian internet blackout
  • Lebanon Christian party annuls agreement with Hezbollah, further isolating Iran-backed group

Sign up for the newsletter here.

Thanks for reading,

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Continue reading this exclusive analysis

Original reporting and analysis unavailable elsewhere. Subscribe to AL-MONITOR to read this story and access everything we publish