Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, national oil production stood at between 400,000 and 500,00 barrels per day before falling to under 100,000 bpd during the conflict. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria Turkey reopened the Akcakale-Tell Abyad crossing on Monday, ending an 11-year closure along the Syria border. Turkey
Analysis MENA wheat importers face food security risks as Hormuz crisis festers By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Is this beginning of the end for Idlib's jihadi groups? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is facing several setbacks in Idlib including internal discord as foreign powers plan a military offensive against them. Syria
Paris, Moscow agendas in Mideast are different but compatible France and Russia are polishing their diplomacy in the Middle East, and perhaps toward each other. Syria
Opening Homs-Hama road proving tricky for all sides in Syria Conflicting reports about the opening of the Homs-Hama road have been issued as both the Syrian regime and opposition look to leverage the strategic route. Syria
Russian-backed cease-fire fails to stop shelling in Syria's Eastern Ghouta Despite the cease-fire agreement reached between the Syrian regime and the opposition under Russia’s sponsorship, shelling in Eastern Ghouta has only gotten worse, adding to the residents’ hardships. Syria
Lebanon explores potential roles with Russia As Russia works to put the finishing touches on Syrian civil war negotiations, representatives from many Mideast countries are showing up at Putin's door, including Lebanon, which has much to give and gain in the situation. Saudi Arabia
International artists explore fragmented Middle East in Istanbul The 2017 Istanbul Biennial asks what makes a good neighbor in a world plagued by war, repression and division. Iraq
Turkey-PKK 'drone wars' escalate The armed conflict between Turkey and the PKK has been rapidly becoming drone-centric, with this dynamic radically altering the basic characteristics of this conflict while amassing legal and moral issues. Syria
Turkish FM says KRG referendum 'big mistake' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks about the upcoming independence vote in Iraqi Kurdistan, Turkish-EU relations and expanding cooperation with Russia. Iraq
Russia sees Saudi Arabia as 'gatekeeper' to Mideast Russian officials say Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud is coming to Moscow for a visit, but the kingdom has been playing coy, perhaps as a bargaining tactic. Saudi Arabia
Trump, Netanyahu risk being party of two in opposition to Iran nuclear deal US and Israeli leaders may find themselves, rather than Iran, isolated in questioning a solid international consensus on Iran, as attention turns to Syria. Saudi Arabia
Much ado in the Mideast: 3 theories on Russia’s Syria trips Russia’s calendar has been packed with official trips to and from the Middle East, raising speculation about new military developments in Syria. Syria
Divided Syrian opposition tries for unified army again As the Syrian opposition faces major setbacks on the battlefield, the Syrian Interim Government and FSA factions have been discussing the formation of a unified national army in hopes of changing the tide. Syria
