Syria lodges UN complaint against Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Bogota’s move marked a foreign policy shift under new right-wing President Abelardo de la Espriella, reversing Petro-era policies that strained ties with Israel. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death Turkey’s Fidan to visit Libya; Iran’s Khamenei appoints six military commanders; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad, brother to death for war crimes Ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother Maher al-Assad were both sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes along with several other defendants. Syria
New deal reduces Russia’s military presence in Syria: What to know Under a deal announced by Syria, Russia’s military facilities would be turned into joint training centers. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Russia reach deal on Russian bases By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign defense pact By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Islamic State inciting Arab-Kurdish divide in Iraq Reports of Ninevah province Arabs fighting with the Islamic State are contributing to anti-Arab sentiments among Iraqi Kurds. Syria
Saudi Arabia toughens stance on jihadist groups Saudi Arabia is responding to widespread accusations that it is supporting extremist groups by publicly toughening its rhetoric against jihadists. Saudi Arabia
As IS advances, Syrian rebels reinforce northern strategic town The rebel-held town of Marea in the Aleppo countryside — the last supply line for the rebels to Turkey — is at risk of falling to the Islamic State. Syria
The Islamic State's social media strategy The Islamic State is using social and other media to recruit followers and scare its enemies into submission. Iraq
Can Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE form Arab security alliance? With the Islamic State (IS) out to change the regional order, Gulf states ought to establish a security alliance to prevent this from happening. Saudi Arabia
Aleppo's Christians in Syrian crossfire Christians in Aleppo fear an uncertain fate; Iran’s decisive role in the appointment of Haider al-Abadi as Iraqi prime minister-designate; battle for Arsal may not be over yet; Netanyahu is Israel’s "weakest prime minister" ever; lobbying profiles of Gulf countries to be released. Iraq
Arsal battle brings Syrian refugee issue to the fore in Lebanon Since the Arsal battle, Lebanon has been taking a new look at its Syrian refugee crisis, which it has been struggling with for years. Lebanon
Amid regional instability, Turkey focuses on domestic agenda Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party are engrossed in the transition to a presidential system, but unrelenting developments in the Middle East will leave Ankara facing major regional problems. Syria
Envoy: US 'appalled' by reported killing of priest in Syria US envoy to Syria Robert Ford has condemned the killing of Catholic Priest Father François Mourad and stated that "unprovoked violence against civilians is completely unacceptable" Syria
Lebanon a safe haven but Middle Eastern Christians still at risk The arrival of Iraqi Christians in Lebanon is significant, as the country has historically been considered a safe haven for Christians in the Levant, and requires considerable diplomatic support from religious and political authorities in the region. Iraq
IS emerges from radical Islamic jurisprudence The Islamic State and other radical groups found their religious underpinnings in the heart of Islamic teachings. Iraq
Power outages add to Aleppo’s suffering The electricity network in Aleppo has been severely damaged by the war, with power outages of more than a year in some neighborhoods. Syria
