Analysis Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say. By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a Turkey-Israel-Syria deconfliction mechanism. Turkey
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey recalibrates refugee policy as Idlib fighting displaces more Syrians Turkey’s Interior Ministry is moving to formalize refugee policies as new wave of displaced Syrians amasses in Idlib. Syria
Young Syrians flee Daraa, Quneitra in droves Young people have been taking flight from Daraa and Quneitra in bids to find decent jobs and to avoid having to serve in the Syrian army. Lebanon
Turkey faces losses in Syria east, west of the Euphrates River Ankara’s attempts to play Russia and the United States off against each other may be gaining it very little and could leave it losing more than it expected. Syria
Turkey questions why Russia didn't prevent Idlib attack The Syrian airstrike this week against a Turkish military convoy in Idlib has prompted speculation that Russia and Syria are cooperating at Turkey's expense. Yemen
Turkey vexed with Russia after Syria strikes convoy Following Syrian airstrikes on a Turkish convoy, Russia appears to be keeping calm and staying the course, but developments on the ground are spinning quickly. Syria
Political earthquake in Turkey: A regime running amok? Three elected Kurdish mayors were removed from their posts in a move further endangering what remains of Turkey's democracy. Syria
Turkish activists stand up against refugee deportations Human rights defenders in Turkey have raised their voices against the forced deportations of thousands of Syrians back to their war-torn country, urging Ankara to grant asylum rights to people fleeing oppression. Syria
Rights group says Turkey sowing dissent in Syria Turkey and its ally Qatar are being accused of spreading false news and fabricated videos to stir up tension between Kurds and Arabs in Syrian areas east of the Euphrates. Syria
What does US-Turkey military deal really entail? Turkish incursion into Syria thwarted: Washington said “no” and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bowed. Syria
Assad’s forces resume shelling of Idlib President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have suspended a cease-fire and resumed airstrikes against Syria’s last rebel stronghold of Idlib, accusing the opposition of violating the truce. Syria
Syria’s constitutional committee still mired in discord Disputes on decision-making rules and time frames continue to delay the committee’s inauguration a year and a half since Syrian parties agreed on a committee to draft a new constitution, even though discord over its composition has been overcome. Syria
What's next for Russia in Idlib? Following the violation of the cease-fire in Idlib, Russia faces the need to manage the breakout of new hostilities and fix the deal with Turkey. Syria
