UAE-Syria move ahead on $20 billion real estate mega-developments Major housing and tourism projects in Damascus and Latakia are set to advance following a new agreement with UAE real estate tycoon Mohamed Alabbar. Syria
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 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
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
White House still quiet on Turkish airstrike in run-up to Erdogan visit The general US reactions to Turkish airstrikes in Syria have been loud, but the White House has yet to utter a single rebuke as Turkey's president packs for Washington. Syria
Trump's generals wonder: What comes after Raqqa? A senior US official says Turkish bombing of Syrian Kurdish forces is adding a new level of complexity to US efforts to defeat the Islamic State and retake Raqqa. Iraq
Is Turkey trying to disrupt Raqqa operation? In the lead-up to President Erdogan's Washington visit next month, Turkey's recent air attacks in Syria and Iraq might be a message that Turkey intends to play a more involved role in those countries. Iraq
YPG, Turkish forces exchange fire on Syrian border The diplomatic fallout from Turkey’s deadly airstrikes against Kurdish militants is growing as Turkey reacts angrily to US rebukes. Syria
How North Korea nuke crisis affects Israel Israeli intelligence believes that North Korea, Syria and Iran are collaborating on the development of missile systems and nuclear programs. Israel
Kurds call on US to set up no-fly zone after Turkish attacks Expect US-Turkey tensions to rise after the Turkish air force attacked Kurdish militants in Iraq’s Sinjar region and northeastern Syria just as the US-led coalition presses its offensive against IS in Raqqa. Syria
Can Erdogan juggle Trump and Putin at the same time? Erdogan’s expectations from the United States and Russia are high, but his hopes may be misplaced again. Syria
Syrian refugee artists in Jordan add color to the desert Syrian artists who found refuge in Jordan are painting the container homes at the Zaatari camp in the hope of lifting the spirits of camp residents. Jordan
Syrian regime faces tough resistance from rebels in Aleppo’s outskirts The Syrian regime forces are attempting to gain ground in Aleppo’s outskirts to fend off any threat the opposition could pose on Aleppo city. Syria
War of words escalates between Jordan, Iran Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel along with its pro-US orientation seems to have put the country on a collision course with Iran. Saudi Arabia