Syria denies meeting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah in Turkey: What to know Both Damascus and Ankara denied reports that Syrian officials met with Hezbollah representatives in Turkey, as relations between the two sides remain fraught with tensions mainly over the Lebanese group’s support for Assad’s forces against rebels during the Syrian civil war. Syria
Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know Beirut is seeking Ankara’s support to link its ports to a railway project aiming to link Turkey to the Gulf, through Syria and Jordan. Turkey
Feature Syria Golan detentions fuel fury at Israeli forces, doubts in new government Israeli forces have detained hundreds of Syrians and continue to conduct strikes and incursions in Quneitra, fueling resentment among residents who say Damascus has failed to protect them. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis How militias in Anbar could complicate Iraq’s energy ambitions Securing western Anbar is emerging as a key test of Iraq’s ability to curb armed factions, attract foreign investment and unlock the province’s vast energy potential. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Exclusive How Syrian Air is braving regional turbulence to rise from the ashes By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Can Netanyahu turn Israel's UN isolation into strength at home? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US-Turkey joint operations center buys time for Syria safe zone talks Following an agreement to establish a "peace corridor" in northeast Syria, American and Turkish officials are creating a joint command center to work out details and oversight protocols. Syria
Pentagon sends team to scout Syria safe zone A US delegation is in Turkey to coordinate on a safe zone in Syria, but despite the seeming progress, there is no indication of agreement on its size and other details. Syria
What does US-Turkey military deal really entail? Turkish incursion into Syria thwarted: Washington said “no” and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bowed. Syria
Intel: Why military confrontation between Turkey, Kurds in Syria might be good news for Russia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s repeated threats to attack Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria depend on Ankara’s ability to meet certain conditions if they’re to become reality. Syria
Deciphering cryptic safe-zone deal between Turkey, US Details are emerging of a safe-zone road map between the United States and Turkey in Syria. Syria
Syrian schools continue to struggle with Kurdish curriculum School curriculum remains the prime concern of parents in Syrian Kurdistan areas under control of the autonomous administration. 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
Turkey, US agree to coordinate on Syrian buffer zone A deal to jointly control a strip of territory now held by Syrian Kurds could reduce friction between Turkey and the United States after Ankara threatened a unilateral military intervention, but some human rights advocates say Turkey will use it to put Syrian refugees back in harm's way. Syria
How Syrians in Kurdish areas get rid of extremism Following the arrest of an Islamic State cell in Hasakah in northeastern Syria, citizens were concerned about the ongoing presence of extremism in their areas despite the group’s defeat. Syria
Syrian city bans face coverings to fight crime, terror The local council in Azaz has prohibited civilians and armed forces from wearing masks and other face coverings in an attempt to make it harder to evade identification when committing a crime. Syria
Russia, Lebanon seek synergy in projects to rebuild Syria Moscow and Beirut each see potential benefits in working together to secure lucrative reconstruction contracts in Syria. Lebanon
Syrian regime pays heavy price for two strategic towns in Hama The Syrian opposition says the regime forces resorted to scorched-earth tactics to take back two towns in northern Hama in preparation for the Astana talks. Syria