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
Turkey's 'American Idol' of Quran recitation backfires An attempt to spread Ramadan cheer backfires as Turkey's Islamists are not happy with a controversial TV show involving competition to recitate the Quran. Egypt
'Peace Radio' inspires Iraq's refugees and displaced Radio Salam in northern Iraq focuses on the refugees and displaced in Iraq to spread hope and peace among them. Iraq
Kurdish-backed militia launches Raqqa operation as another declares war on Turkey Coming just days after the Pentagon began distributing weapons to the YPG, Turkey could easily construe threats of escalation by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons as proof that US support for the Syrian Kurds emboldens the Kurdistan Workers Party. Syria
Jordan pins hopes on US-Russian accord on southern Syria Amid talks about secret trilateral meetings being held in Amman between Jordan, the United States and Russia to establish a de-escalation zone in southern Syria, Jordan would reject the presence of Islamic State militants on its northern borders, or fighters supported by Iran. Jordan
Applying the ‘Bosnian model’ to Syria’s crisis Could the United States and Russia learn from the Dayton Agreement to reach a lasting peace deal in Syria? Jordan
Ankara looks beyond Raqqa offensive for fate of northern Syria The Turkish government is worried about how the Democratic Union Party will transform northern Syria once the Islamic State is defeated in Raqqa. Iraq
Kurdish cantons in northern Syria already linked One of the most heated issues of the Syrian war has been the possibility of Kurdish cantons connecting, overcoming Turkey’s threatening objections. And now, with the Aleppo road open, Kurdish cantons are connected for the first time in four years. Iraq
Syrians in Egypt demand clearer work regulations Syrians who fled their country and settled in Egypt have so far contributed to the Egyptian economy with more than $800 million, but they have yet to get their papers in order. Egypt
Syrian NGO begins rebuilding war-torn Idlib The relative calm prevailing in northern Syria’s opposition-controlled areas, specifically in Idlib province, is inspiring relief organizations to launch reconstruction projects aimed at infusing life back into the devastated areas. Syria
US, Russia hold secret talks over south Syria safe zone US and Russian officials are quietly negotiating a deal over a proposed "de-escalation" zone near the border with Jordan. Syria
YPG tightens noose around Raqqa The battle for Raqqa is near as arms from the United States are dispersed among the coalition’s Kurdish ally, the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units. Syria
Syrian women in Egypt work to build strength out of hardship Six years into the devastating war, Syrian women who sought refuge in Egypt have become stronger and acquired new survival skills. Egypt
