Turkey tests waters for new offensive against YPG

Turkey is itching to go on the offensive against Kurdish forces in areas east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, but the US role in the area continues to act as a deterrence.

Syria

What's behind Europe’s outreach to Erdogan?

Europe’s acceptance of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an interlocutor is driven by Turkey’s continuing strategic importance rather than any reflection on its president.

Saudi Arabia

Erdogan plays big: A grand bargain in Syria with Trump and Putin?

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plays a big gambit with American and Russian counterparts, but can he win?

Syria

Al-Bab’s historical covered marketplace back in business

Store owners at a market in al-Bab have reopened their shops, which were heavily damaged in the fight against the Islamic State.

Syria

Erdogan slams US-Kurdish patrols near Syria border

In a speech to parliament, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chastised the United States for supporting Kurdish militias in Syria and reimposing “imperialist” sanctions on Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Will Idlib buffer zone agreement see the light?

The second item of the Turkish-Russian agreement on Syria’s Idlib providing for the withdrawal of jihadist organizations from the heavily demilitarized buffer zone is facing serious obstacles.

Syria

Intel: Why the Pentagon is warning of an Islamic State ‘resurgence’

Syria

Iraq, Syria lay plans to reopen border

Despite the ongoing threats from Islamic State militants along the Iraq-Syria border, the two countries are preparing to reopen important crossings.

Iraq

Moscow, Syrian High Negotiations Committee go down to-do list on Syria

Following the Syrian High Negotiations Committee's visit to Russia, Syrian opposition groups are faced with a choice: wait until Washington upholds its position on the country's settlement or hop on the bandwagon with Moscow.

Syria

Northern Syria heats up as next likely US-Turkey flashpoint

Despite speculation that Turkey and the United States might repair their tense relations now that one key issue is settled, an Erdogan adviser called Turkey's shelling east of the Euphrates River “a friendly message to the US.”

Syria

Cairo bolsters bond with Moscow as US grows distant

Egypt, feeling a chill in the air in Washington, is warming up to Russia.

Palestine

Iraqi border city eyes IS advance amid dust storms

Iraqi security forces on Iraq's border with Syria have been placed on a higher level of alert amid an Islamic State advance on the Syrian side of the border.

Iraq