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’s FM pays Pakistan first visit in 19 years amid new regional alignments Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is paying his office's first visit to Pakistan in nearly two decades after Islamabad, Ankara and Riyadh signed a joint defense pact. Syria
Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said state oil giant TPAO and private companies are ready to explore for oil and gas onshore and offshore in Syria. 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
What we know about Israeli strikes on Syrian air base tied to Turkey By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
EU slaps Captagon sanctions on relatives of Syria's Assad The European Union adopted new restrictive measures today against Syrian individuals and entities accused of trafficking narcotics and supporting the oppressive Syrian government. Syria
Turkey, Syria send defense, intel chiefs to meet in Russia The meeting will mark the second round of talks that began late last year. Turkey
Israel shells Hezbollah targets in Syria in latest escalation The shelling targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Syria, local outlets reported, but the Syrian government notably has not commented. Israel
Lebanon deports dozens of Syrian refugees amid spike in racist rhetoric The deportation of more than 50 Syrians to the war-torn country comes amid growing anti-Syrian sentiment in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria’s Kurds make their own pitch as Arab states court Assad Syrian Kurds, whom Bashar al-Assad once labeled “traitors” and “collaborators,” now seek a new peace with the Syrian government. Syria
Analysis Jordan's king visits Saudi, UAE with Syria normalization topping agenda Jordan’s King Abdullah II traveled to meet Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed this week as discussions about bringing Syria back to the Arab League continue. By Salim A. Essaid
Syria FM visits Tunisia in latest Arab embrace of Assad Mekdad's three-day visit to Tunis marks the first by a Syrian official since the North African country cut ties with the Syrian regime in February 2012 over its brutal crackdown against peaceful protests. Syria
Fresh Turkey strikes in Syria kill 10 Kurdish militants: Ankara Turkish troops have killed 10 Kurdish militants in a cross-border escalation ongoing since the weekend, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Turkey
US forces kill senior Islamic State official in pre-dawn Syria raid: official Local reports said several US helicopters were involved in an operation in an area controlled by the opposition Suqour al-Sham militia. Syria
US citizen sues Syria over torture amid regional embrace of Assad Obada Mzaik filed a federal lawsuit against the Syrian government over torture he says he endured during his three-week detention in 2012. Syria
Turkey’s opposition foreign policy promises gradual departure from Erdogan’s Turkey’s opposition alliance vows to prioritize diplomacy and de-escalate tensions in Ankara’s foreign ties, yet it might adhere to policy continuity on many issues should it win the elections next month. Turkey
Arab initiative offers best chance for Syria in years The Saudi-brokered meeting and Jordanian road map could boost the long stalled Syrian political process; Turkey is still key to settlement; Assad also has his cards to play. Syria
