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
Will next round of Geneva talks determine Assad's fate? The upcoming Geneva talks are once again under the spotlight as Syria approaches the end of the cease-fire. Syria
Syria talks set to resume UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said he planned to resume proximity talks between the Syrian government and the opposition on a political transition starting March 14. Syria
IRGC commander: We are not pulling troops from Syria Following the firing of two ballistic missiles, an Iranian commander said that US pressure would only bring about more tests and said Iran would continue sending troops to Syria. Israel
Has IS established foothold in Jordan? A raid in Irbid on a cell affiliated with the Islamic State has Jordanians on edge. Jordan
How Syrian cease-fire has reignited spark of the revolution During the brittle cease-fire, protesters have returned to Syria's streets to assert that the revolution continues. Syria
Davutoglu attempts to get back to zero problems with Iran Analysts warn that an unpredictable harsh statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could undermine Davutoglu’s efforts to gain a piece of the Iranian pie. Syria
With spread of IS-like tactics, urban warfare in Turkey grows bloodier Turkish officials believe Kurdish militants leading clashes in the southeast have learned techniques used by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units and the Islamic State in Kobani. Syria
Why Israel needs Putin more than it needs Erdogan Reconciliation with Turkey is stalled, possibly due to Israeli-Russian security interests regarding Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah, as well as Russian hostility to Israeli-Turkish rapprochement. Israel
Is Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution almost dead? Iran poised to exploit the declining fortunes of the Palestinian Authority as Israel expands West Bank settlements; Syrian government forces prepare for a showdown in Raqqa; The Washington Post refers to Jaish al-Islam as a "rebel" group; Al-Monitor Syria Timeline includes commentary from Ambassador Ryan Crocker and others. Palestine
After terrorist label, what is GCC's next move against Hezbollah? Iranian officials and media have condemned the decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council to label the Lebanese group Hezbollah a terrorist organization and believe more anti-Hezbollah actions are on the way. Saudi Arabia
House panel decries Islamic State genocide The Foreign Affairs Committee also voted to label Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a war criminal. Iraq
Assad miffs opposition, Russians with call for elections After announcement of a cease-fire agreement Feb. 22, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad decreed that legislative elections be held April 13 in contravention of the agreement. Syria
