UN watchdog formally ends probe into Assad-era nuclear sites The vote follows last month's visit by international inspectors to two suspected former nuclear sites in Syria. Syria
Syria destroys 42 bombs in chemical stockpile purge: What to know The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has resumed its inspections in Syria and confirmed that at least 42 aerial bombs have been destroyed by Syrian authorities in the first such efforts since 2014. Syria
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil rises amid renewed US-Iran fighting Iran launched a wave of attacks on US sites across the Middle East on Wednesday after an extensive American bombardment. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Hariri’s visit sign of Iranian-Saudi rapprochement Saad Hariri's return to Lebanon coincided with a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and appears to be part of Riyadh's plan to invest in fighting terrorism and promoting moderate Islam. Saudi Arabia
US gives new priority to foreign fighters in Syria US regional allies, including Turkey, may finally be forced to crack down on extremists in Syria. Israel
Lebanon's main prison a hotbed for terrorists Roumieh Prison holds a variety of detainees, including terrorists and radical Islamists who pose a challenge to security in the lockup and in the country. Lebanon
Syrian women help traumatized children smile again Kindergarten teachers in the Syrian flashpoint city of Zabadani established a center to provide much-needed psychological support for local children. Syria
Is PKK becoming a new Middle East power? Turkey’s Kurdish movement is proving to be the only force resolved to fight the Islamic State, while boosting its political might in Turkey. Syria
Hezbollah calls for resistance against IS Hezbollah sources told Al-Monitor that the Islamic State’s attack on Arsal was only the beginning of another series of attacks in parts of Lebanon. Lebanon
Alawites prepare as IS, Jabhat al-Nusra close in on regime areas Supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad long dismissed the threat from the Islamic State, but that threat has become real as jihadists move into the Homs countryside, approaching Alawite and Christian areas. Syria
Clashes between Druze, Bedouins rattle Syria’s south Violent clashes erupted last week between Druze residents of Suwayda province and Bedouins backed by Jabhat al-Nusra, threatening to drag this relatively quiet area into Syria’s civil war. Syria
Islamic State calls for revenge against Syria’s rebels The Islamic State alleges Syrian rebels raped and abused female relatives of IS militants when rebels ousted IS from Aleppo earlier this year, and is using that as a rallying cry for its militants as it pushes into rebel-held territory. Syria
Russia keeps eye on Islamic State Russia views the expansion of the Islamic State in Iraq as a threat to its own security, especially given the potential return home of Russian-born jihadists. Iraq
Davutoglu faces uneasy relationship with Assad Ahmet Davutoglu declared two years ago in his role as foreign minister that he would rather resign than shake Bashar al-Assad’s hand; he now has to find a way to coexist with Syria. Iraq
Islamic State inciting Arab-Kurdish divide in Iraq Reports of Ninevah province Arabs fighting with the Islamic State are contributing to anti-Arab sentiments among Iraqi Kurds. Syria
