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
EU to restore Syria cooperation pact ahead of May talks: What to know The European Union has proposed the full resumption of a decades-old cooperation agreement with Syria ahead of high-level talks next month. Syria
Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How the Iran war can help Syria manage Turkey and its regional rivals By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM slams Fidan’s threats against Syria's SDF As Ankara increasingly threatens the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the opposition People's Equality and Democracy Party warns that a potential Turkish military operation against the Kurdish-led group could disrupt the peace process at home. Turkey
UN: Syria's March violence saw ‘likely’ war crimes by Damascus, Assad remnants The United Nations noted deliberate targeting of Alawite civilians in its report on the killings along the Syrian coast and called on the government to expand its efforts in taking steps toward accountability. Syria
After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say. Turkey
Explosion kills 4 in Syria’s Idlib: What to know Syria remains littered with the waste of a Cold War arsenal and 14 years of civil war. Syria
Will Turkey follow through on threats to attack Syria's Kurds? This week we unpack the stakes around Ankara's threats to take military action alongside Damascus against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey
Analysis Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Turkey, Syria ink defense cooperation deal as Ankara ups pressure on Kurdish-led SDF The military agreement comes amid Ankara’s warnings to the Pentagon-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over their refusal to integrate into Syria’s army. Turkey
Kurds, Damascus resume talks as Syria, Jordan FMs meet US envoy in Amman The meeting aims to address growing unrest and political demands amid Syria’s fragile efforts to rebuild. Syria
China envoy, Syria FM meet as Uyghur militant concerns slow reconstruction ties China and Syria remain at an impasse as Beijing remains wary of Uyghur militants’ integration into Syrian forces, while Syria, wary of alienating fighters who helped secure its recent military victories, seeks a compromise that won’t undermine the new government’s stability. Syria
Pentagon: Al-Qaeda remnants seek influence in Syria’s new government Hurras al-Din announced its dissolution in January, but US intelligence believes its adherents may still seek influence via Syria’s new government, which is led by their former jihadist rival and ex-HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syria
Syrian forces dismantle ISIS cell near Turkish border: What to know Syria says it has thwarted a number of ISIS plots in 2025 as the group seeks to exploit sectarian tensions in the country. Syria
Turkey-France rivalry disrupts US-led mediation between Damascus, Syrian Kurds Ankara is pressuring Damascus to cancel talks in Paris, fearing French support will tilt negotiations in favor of the Kurds, regional officials told Al-Monitor. Turkey