Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border. Turkey
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
So IS is committing genocide. Now what? Congress expects the secretary of State's determination to mean something. Iraq
Can Israel influence the 'day after' in Syria? Israeli experts fear that the Russian pullout of Syria will provide Hezbollah with influence along the border of the Golan Heights. Israel
How Kurds treat Islamic State prisoners In the Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria, special courts prosecute the Islamic State fighters captured during the battles between the organization and the People's Protection Units. Syria
How terror attacks drive politics in Ankara Turkey is increasingly becoming the scene of Rojava-inspired Kurdish resistance. Syria
How Iran views the Russian withdrawal from Syria Iranian media and analysts speculate on Russia's sudden decision to pull some of its troops from Syria and what this means for the fate of the cease-fire. Syria
Putin to Assad: Do svidaniya Russian President Vladimir Putin is saying "do svidaniya" — goodbye — to Syria, announcing the start of a Russian military withdrawal that Putin said he hoped would bolster Syria peace talks underway in Geneva. Syria
Qasem Soleimani defends Hezbollah In a rare speech, the head of Iran's Quds Force defended his country against accusations that it might be looking for trouble in the region. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan intensifies assault on independent media US State Department calls on Turkey to respect "democratic values"; Israel considers Erdogan a "lost cause," sees Putin winning "on all counts." Israel
The IRGC's plan to win hearts and minds Pro-regime culture portrays Qasem Soleimani as a brave, strong and mysterious commander as a key component in the campaign to recuperate trust in the IRGC among Iranians and to portray it as a formidable force in the region. Iraq
Is Turkey's plan to stop flow of refugees legal? Turkey's offer to the European Union to stop the flow of refugees to Greece is compelling — but is it legal? Syria
Is the EU really ready to commit to Turkey? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is feeling his oats as he renegotiates his deal with the European Union. Syria
Have Israeli-Arab parties sided with Hezbollah? Israeli Arab parties Balad and Hadash condemned the decision by the GCC to label Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, which leaves many Israelis puzzled by this decision. Israel
