Israel keeps tabs on Putin-Assad alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reinforces the latter and might lead him to adopt a stronger approach vis-a-vis Israel.

Israel

What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq?

Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq.

Iraq

In Idlib, Syrians find solace in soccer

With the Syrian war surrounding Idlib, the General Commission for Youth and Sports is organizing soccer and other sports leagues as a way to create some air of normalcy in opposition-held areas.

Syria

What role should EU have in resolving Syria crisis?

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Marisa Matias, the chair of the delegation of the European Parliament for relations with the Mashreq countries, speaks about the EU’s role in the Syrian conflict, while tackling the refugee crisis and ways the EU is helping host countries, like Jordan and Lebanon, deal with the massive influx of displaced Syrians.

Egypt

What federalism would mean for northern Syria

In an interview with Al-Monitor, the new co-chairman of the Syrian Democratic Council, Riad Darar, said that Syrians need to fully understand their interests in this international game to prevent the partition of the country and to build a new system that is more flexible in responding to change.

Syria

Is Manbij the latest Kurdish poke in Erdogan's eye?

Erdogan's plan to contain Kurds suffers a setback as Manbij on Syria's northern border with Turkey declares itself a self-governed canton.

Syria

What’s Chechnya doing in Syria?

Russia is finding the Republic of Chechnya’s influence to be very helpful in Syria.

Syria

Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line

Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city.

Iraq

Is Turkey rattled by Russian-Kurdish deal?

Turkey may feel its already tenuous footing in Syria slipping now that Russian troops have arrived in Afrin, after making a pact with the Kurds.

Syria

Aleppo's displaced face another crisis in Idlib

The Syrian regime is intensifying its assault on Idlib and its countryside, where civilians are falling victim after fleeing death in Aleppo and other areas in Syria.

Syria

Congress reintroduces Syria sanctions

The House Foreign Affairs panel is expected to take up the bill promptly, but its fate is uncertain in the Senate.

Syria

Ankara's Syrian plan falters as Moscow sets up in Afrin

Turkey's move to enlist the Russians against the Syrian Kurds is not working out, as both the United States and Russia deepen their ties with the Syrian Kurds and Operation Euphrates Shield appears to have reached the limits of its expansion.

Syria