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
Aleppo's rebel fighters disillusioned with war Rebel fighters in Aleppo look to Homs as a potential model for a cease-fire to end the war in the city. Syria
Syrian Kurd leader urges Turkey to join fight against jihadists In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim says his Democratic Union Party will not participate in Syria’s presidential elections, and questions why the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq is not helping Syria’s Kurds. Iraq
Former US diplomat warns of possible 'grave mistake' in Syria Ryan Crocker, former US ambassador to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, warns against a regime change plan that would depose the Alawite power structure in Syria and advises the Obama administration to contain the fighting by backing US regional allies, but not to intervene militarily. Syria
Turkey's Syria borders an open door for smugglers Guns, people and stolen goods move with surprising ease and regularity over a sensitive border. Syria
Turkey’s endless Syrian refugee crisis There may be a limit to Turkey’s open-door policy for Syrian refugees, one that is taxing Turkey’s economy and society. Syria
My perilous journey from Aleppo to Turkey The journey from Aleppo to the Turkish border once took 45 minutes but is now a 6.5-hour drive fraught with danger. Syria
The myth of Obama’s failure in the Middle East US diplomacy is actively engaged on all fronts in the region, while the president’s critics offer no feasible alternatives. Saudi Arabia
Hezbollah sends Israel message in Shebaa bombing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has claimed responsibility for the Shebaa Farms bombing that wounded Israeli soldiers, and Israel has filed a complaint at the United Nations, signaling that Israel understood the message. Palestine
Syrian government to intensify offensive before election After its victory in Yabrud, the Syrian regime may try to retake Aleppo, strengthening its position ahead of presidential elections scheduled for early June. Syria
Aleppo's children struggle to stay in school A first-hand report from Aleppo on local initiatives in rebel-held east Aleppo trying to keep children in school. Syria
KRG trench divides Syrian, Iraqi Kurds The ditch dug by the Kurdistan Regional Government at Rojava, separating Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, adds another layer of complexity to the regional conflict. Iraq
Fate of kidnapped Syrian bishops still unknown As the one-year anniversary of the kidnapping of Bishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi in Aleppo approaches, questions persist regarding their fate and the identity of the kidnappers. Lebanon
