Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know Amjad Youssef appeared on video, allegedly killing dozens of civilians in 2013; he is the latest member of the Assad regime to be captured by the new Syrian government. Syria
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance Backlash erupts after dancers perform to Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” exposing the tightrope between Sharaa’s outreach to the West and pressure from his Islamist base. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria’s Sharaa makes fourth visit to Saudi Arabia, first since Iran war: What to know The visit comes in light of the deepening economic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia post-Assad. Syria
How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy. Syria
Analysis As Lebanon-Israel talks loom, can Syria help in curbing Hezbollah? By Danny Makki In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture
Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Is al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria’s Idlib on its way to demise? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, is close to ending the presence of al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, after arresting one of its top active commanders and closing its military facilities in the area. Syria
Kurdish forces agree to deliver oil, Syrian regime reopens crossings The Syrian government has reopened crossings between the areas it controls and those held by Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria in exchange for oil shipments. Syria
UAE sends medical and food aid to Syria The United Arab Emirates is calling on other countries in the region and around the world to repair ties and cooperate with the Syrian government amid the ongoing civil war. News Brief
Four soldiers injured in suspected Israeli airstrikes on Syria Israeli missiles struck areas around Damascus, according to Syria's state media outlet. News Brief
The Takeaway: Nile Dam talks fail, crisis escalates Sisi warns that "all options open" if diplomacy not resumed; Israel: "Knives drawn" as Bibi gets first shot at forming government; Hotel shuttle diplomacy at Iran talks in Vienna; Mummies on parade in Egypt; more! Egypt
War over economic routes heats up in Syria Syria’s economic collapse is stoking the struggle over commercial routes between government-held areas and US- and Turkish-backed enclaves, fueling also disagreements on humanitarian aid. Turkey
Tribes in east Syria resort to their own judiciary over lack of trust in official courts Tribes in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah agreed to set up a tribal judiciary system as an alternative to the official judiciary affiliated with the Kurdish-led authorities running the area. Syria
Syria donor conference raises $6.4B, far short of UN target Of the more than $6 billion raised during the pledging conference, $4.4 billion is set aside for this year. Syria
Intel: US pledges nearly $600M in humanitarian aid to Syria The Biden administration is also calling on the UN Security Council to allow the free flow of aid to opposition-held parts of Syria. Syria
Kurdish forces in northeast Syria conduct security raid in al-Hol camp The United Nations said the operation in al-Hol interfered with humanitarian services, but the US military, which supported the operation, said the disruption was minimal. Violence has increased greatly in the camp this year. News Brief
Eastern Syrian region seeks stability, local control through division After years of calls for greater local decision-making from the Arab majority in Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor, the part of the region under the Kurdish-led SDF plans to divide the territory into four sections. What appears to have possibly been an attempt to assassinate the highest civilian authority in the region has meanwhile raised serious concerns. Syria
In rebuke to Russia, Blinken presses UN to quit politicizing Syria aid Blinken called on the UN Security Council to reauthorize a cross-border aid operation into Syria despite Russian and Chinese opposition. Syria
