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
How the US stood with Syria's Kurds Turkish airstrikes against the YPG in Syria animated the region, but the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition is standing its ground when it comes to defending the Syrian Kurds. Syria
Syria sanctions bill sparks renewed debate over Assad and Christians The House Foreign Affairs panel voted for new sanctions on anyone helping Bashar al-Assad's regime. Syria
US, Russia approach each other cautiously on Syria Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have set an ambitious pace for diplomatic discussions with other world leaders regarding Syria, but they apparently agree that small steps are best when dealing with each other on the topic. Syria
Civilians task themselves with administering IS-free areas of Raqqa The new Raqqa Civilian Assembly is overseeing areas of the province that have been cleared of the Islamic State and helping thousands of refugees who are risking everything, traveling clandestinely on booby-trapped roads to get out of the city. Syria
US to send senior envoy to Syria talks after Trump-Putin call Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones is set to attend Syria cease-fire talks in Astana on May 3-4 after Trump-Putin confer on Syria. Syria
Turkey continues its foreign policy blunders Turkey finds itself ever more isolated after making "frenemies" on all fronts. Syria
US, Turkish nerves fray as Erdogan visit nears The Turkish foreign minister shared a heated conversation with his American counterpart in the wake of the Turkish airstrikes in Syria, and despite US fury, Ankara's increasingly roguish behavior will likely remain unchanged. Syria
US move to protect YPG could push Turkey into Russia's arms US special forces have deployed along Syrian border to deter Turkey from further attacks against Syrian Kurdish forces but the United States has no sway over Russian-dominated northwestern Syria, prompting conjecture about a possible Russian-Turkish deal for Idlib. Syria
Three reasons Turkey bombed Syria and Iraq Turkish government officials provided Al-Monitor rare insight into Turkey's mindset, explaining the reasoning behind the controversial attacks on Syrian Kurdish fighters. Syria
Erdogan tests Trump with attack on Syrian Kurds US-Turkey relations sink further following airstrikes; Russia’s expanding military presence in Syria. Syria
Does Turkey plan to continue airstrikes in Iraq, Syria? Turkey’s recent bombings of groups it says are linked to Kurdish terrorists give Russia and the United States something else to agree on. Iraq
Are the US, Russia staking out territorial clout in Syria? Moscow and Washington both deny they are dividing Syria into "zones of influence," but they might be laying the groundwork by creating military facilities at various sites. Syria
