Explainer Israel's Armenian genocide recognition marks new front against Turkey Analysts say the expected vote for recognition is not morally motivated, but intended to spite the Turkish leader. Israel
Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections The decision affects some 6,100 Syrians who live in the United States. Syria
Explainer Syria’s energy push could soon get a major boost from Chevron: What to know The country's leaders are seeking to translate a flurry of oil and gas agreements into concrete investments and rebuild an industry devastated by more than a decade of war, sanctions and isolation. Syria
Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town Turkey has mobilized more forces in the vicinity of the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria, while the Free Syrian Army, an ally of Ankara, intensified its presence in that area amid an agreement between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Russia to ward off Turkey and its allies from the town. Syria
US unveils new Syria sanctions targeting Assad’s British in-laws The US administration has blacklisted the commander of Syria's military intelligence organization, a senior aide to President Bashar al-Assad and Assad's British in-laws. Syria
KRG asks US forces to deploy along Kurdish-controlled part of Iraqi-Syrian border In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s deputy chief of staff outlined why the Kurdish region's government wants US forces stationed in and around the Fish Khabur border crossing. Iraq
Can the US force Iran out of Syria? Not likely, former officials say The outgoing Trump administration appears to have made little if any progress in achieving its goal. Syria
Pro-Iran militias in Syria soak merchants for cash at checkpoints The checkpoints of the Syrian regime and the pro-Iranian militias along the main road between Deir-ez-Zor and al-Bukamal are imposing royalties on merchants and local residents in their areas of control. Syria
Iraq, KRG, Turkey find common ground in response to PKK Kurdish group increasingly isolated; meanwhile, Syrian Kurds boxed in by Turkey, Russia and Assad. Iraq
How Russia is preparing in Syria for Biden’s presidency Moscow is hoping the final months of outgoing President Donald Trump's presidency will allow it an opportunity to reinforce its positions in Syria. Syria
Intel: Russia sets up military positions in Syria’s Ain Issa after shelling from Turkish-controlled side The move follows Russian talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Syria
Syrians suffer as crossings remain closed, and smuggling operations become pricey Smuggling operations between the areas under the control of the Turkish-allied factions and those under the control of the Syrian regime have been ongoing since the main crossings were closed in March as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Syria
Outgoing Syria envoy reflects on Turkey, the Kurds and what everyone got wrong In a long-ranging interview with Al-Monitor, James Jeffrey looks back on his efforts to incorporate fragments of Obama-era initiatives into a cohesive Middle East policy. Syria
Egypt mobilizes Gulf, Arab support to end Syrian crisis Egypt appears to be leading Arab efforts to bring Damascus back to the Arab League and find a political solution to the Syrian crisis, in a bid to confront Turkey’s military ambitions in Syria. Egypt
Uzbekistan repatriates women and children linked to Islamic State in Syria The 98 people were in camps for Islamic State fighters and their families in Kurdish-run northeast Syria. Some other countries have also brought their citizens home from IS camps there, while others have refused. Syria
