Hama rebels struggle to hold ground as regime, IS attack

Opposition forces in Idlib and Hama are struggling to maintain some of their last positions, against which the Syrian regime and the Islamic State are escalating their attacks.

Syria

Russia 'consulted, heard and feared' in the Middle East

Moscow weighs benefits and risks of leverage and leadership in the Syria crisis and the Middle East peace process.

Saudi Arabia

Struggle with Sochi guest list reflects animosities over Syria

As Russia seeks to overcome Turkey’s objections to Kurdish participation in the planned Sochi conference, Moscow welcomed Kurdish commanders to assure them Kurds are not being excluded.

Syria

One year later, Aleppo's residents still mourn destroyed city

Although the battle for Aleppo ended a year ago, some former residents can't bear to return to the destroyed city, while journalists fear arrest.

Syria

What 2018 looks like for Russia, US regarding Syria

Will US and Russian relations in the new year involve cooperation, confrontation or attempts to carefully balance both?

Syria

Crossing opens to help rebuild Syria, boost commerce with Turkey

With the opening of al-Rai border crossing in northern Aleppo, authorities there hope to develop trade activities with Turkey and later allow travelers to move freely between the two countries.

Syria

Congress uses Syria aid funding as Assad leverage

As the war in Syria cools down, the cold war to fund Syria’s reconstruction projects is heating up and Washington is hoping to use US assistance as economic leverage to force political concessions from Damascus.

Syria

Israel adapts to changing strategic reality in Mideast

The Israel Defense Forces believe that excellent intelligence capabilities will determine the fate of Israel’s next war.

Israel

Reviving Kurdish language in northern Syria

The self-administration in northern Syria is teaching the Kurdish language in a bid to revive it among the local population after decades of marginalization.

Iraq

All official Syrian-Lebanon border crossings now open

The border area has been deemed secure enough for the Lebanese and Syrian governments to reopen the last of the five border crossings between the two countries.

Lebanon

Christmas trees in Aleppo?

A new roof in Bethlehem, a desecrated altar in Diyarbakir, Christmas trees in Aleppo and an appreciation of “fellow travelers” in faith.

Palestine

Russia finds neutral zones in Syria essential but tricky

Moscow hopes to focus soon on rebuilding Syria's shattered infrastructure, but first must help restore stability, which could prove much more difficult.

Syria