Syrian Kurd commander Kobane kicks off European tour amid scrutiny from Damascus Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Mazlum Kobane is on a European tour and will likely meet French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. Syria
Analysis Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid Trump’s proposal faces resistance from Damascus, skepticism from experts and opposition across Lebanon’s political spectrum. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon President Donald Trump insisted he has a great relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but criticized the scale of Israel’s strikes in Lebanon. Syria
Analysis Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence The latest Erdogan-Netanyahu clash underscored how Turkey-Israel tensions have grown beyond the Palestinian issue and into a wider regional rivalry spanning Syria, Lebanon, Iran and the eastern Mediterranean. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Interview Top Syrian Kurdish official slams parliamentary vote in northeast as 'undemocratic' Foza Yusuf Top Syrian Kurdish official
Iraq to prosecute ISIS detainees transferred from Syria: What to know The repatriation of Iraqis accused of Islamic State ties from Syria has reignited security concerns in Iraq. Iraq
What Israel stands to lose in Syria-SDF agreement The agreement signed Jan. 18 for the integration of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian state will bolster not only Turkey, Israel’s foe, but also President Ahmed al-Sharaa while he negotiates a security deal with Israel. Israel
Rifaat al-Assad, perpetrator of Syria's 1982 Hama massacre, dies at 88 Known for his role in the 1982 Hama massacre, the late member of Syria’s former ruling family oversaw the killing of tens of thousands of civilians. Syria
Trump praises Syria's Sharaa after truce reached with SDF The Trump administration’s Syria envoy said Tuesday that Washington believed Damascus could handle the country’s continued fight against ISIS, signaling a major shift in the US' policy toward the Kurdish forces. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Syria’s Kurds accept sweetened ceasefire deal as US envoy Barrack declares SDF obsolete The ceasefire follows intense clashes and a rapid Syrian military advance in the Kurdish-held northeast, amid concerns over ISIS prisoners. Syria
US military negotiates handover of Syria's ISIS prisons as Kurds withdraw The US military has largely stood down as Syrian government forces moved into Kurdish-held areas of northeast Syria, raising concerns about ethnic violence and the security of prisons holding ISIS detainees. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Trump demands end to clashes with Kurds in call with Syria's Sharaa US President Donald Trump called Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and secured a pledge from the leader to not enter al-Hasakeh as Syrian forces clashed with the Kurdish-led SDF. Syria
Erdogan welcomes Syria-SDF agreement, urges full implementation Turkey has welcomed the agreement as key to domestic peace efforts with the outlawed Kurdish militants. Turkey
Bowing to US pressure, Syrian military advances, Kurdish-led SDF agrees to Sharaa's terms Syrian government forces rapidly retook Raqqa and key eastern territories from the US-backed SDF, prompting a ceasefire agreement that effectively restores Damascus’ control over much of Syria’s oil-rich northeast. Syria
Syria’s Sharaa declares Kurdish a national language, recognizes Nowruz Syria's interim president surprised the country's Kurdish citizens with a decree enshrining their culture and language as an "inseparable component of Syria’s unified and diverse national identity." Syria
Exclusive US envoy Barrack to meet Kurdish SDF chief Kobane in bid to avoid Syria escalation The US special envoy to Syria is expected to meet SDF leader Mazlum Kobane in Erbil amid mounting tensions that threaten to unravel a fragile agreement between the Kurdish-led administration and Damascus. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria declares 'closed military zone' east of Aleppo as Kurds protest The Syrian government accused the Kurdish-led SDF of mobilizing in the area, reflecting ongoing turmoil following a ceasefire. Syria
