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
Are the Saudis ready to fight in Syria? With no end in sight to Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen, is Riyadh ready to risk major casualties by sending ground troops to Syria? Saudi Arabia
Iran reacts to Saudis' offer of troops in Syria Iranian officials play down Saudi statements about sending ground troops to Syria, especially as the Syrian government makes gains on the ground. Saudi Arabia
Russia's Syria dilemma Moscow wants a political settlement to the Syrian war, but its military support, which is resulting in regime victories on the battlefield, could threaten that outcome. Syria
Will he, won't he? Turks ponder whether Erdogan will invade Syria The unhappy Turkish president has many factors to consider if he is contemplating military intervention in Syria. Syria
Turkey gives mixed signals on Syria Pro-Erdogan media drums support for an invasion of Syria, but military experts say this is not feasible. Syria
Why the fall of this Syrian city raises red flags in Jordan The fall of Sheikh Miskin near the Jordanian border has sounded alarms in the kingdom, which is working to beef up security on the border and bracing for a new wave of refugees. Jordan
Is Russia helping the US win in Syria? Russian air power and Syrian forces are pounding terrorists and their allies, while taking a terrible toll on civilians; keep Turkey out of Syria. Syria
Congress gets first-hand account of war against IS A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 8. Iraq
How one Syrian music star is making a comeback Tariq Dargham al-Swaydan was a well-known musician from Syria's Daraa region when conflict erupted in 2011; now he's trying to carry on with his work while living in Egypt. Egypt
Diplomats focus on humanitarian aid first, Syria peace talks second After Syria peace talks in Geneva suspended, diplomats look to world powers to agree on aid access and humanitarian deliverables at a meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Munich on Feb. 11 to try to revive a diplomatic process. Syria
Is Syrian regime's seizure of Sheikh Miskin a tipping point? Aided by Russian air cover, the Syrian regime retook the strategic city of Sheikh Miskin and advanced on numerous other fronts, likely affecting the Geneva III talks. Syria
