Saudi Arabia Shifts to More Activist Foreign Policy Doctrine

The kingdom should give priority to a regional initiative in Syria and a collective security framework for maintaining order in the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia

Gaza Salafists Killed in Syria

Salafist sources in Gaza say dozens of young Palestinian men have gone to Syria to fight with al-Qaeda affiliates against President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Palestine

Is Turkey Digging a Hole With Its Syria policy?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also the enemy of Salafists fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria

Smugglers Easily Cross Iraq’s Border

Despite the efforts of Iraq and the six countries bordering it, Iraq’s borders are easily navigated by professional smugglers.

Saudi Arabia

Aleppo’s Children Left Behind As War Shutters Schools

Schools across Syria have been shut down, damaged or used as shelters, denying millions of children the chance to attend.

Syria

Pressure Mounts on Turkey Over Radical Groups in Syria

A recent Human Rights Watch report has drawn further attention to the need for Turkey to control its border and prevent the influx of jihadists to Syria.

Syria

The Iranian Trend And Geneva Nuclear Talks

Al-Monitor’s coverage of Iran as negotiations commence this week in Geneva with expectations of progress on the nuclear file, and implications for Syria and the region.

Israel

Syrian Arab Village Welcomes Kurdish Fighters

Villagers consider arrival of Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG) forces a liberation in light of the presence of al-Qaeda-affiliated groups.

Syria

UN Body Led by Ahmet Uzumcu Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Turkish President Abdullah Gul expressed deep pride for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, led by a Turk, Ahmet Uzumcu.

Syria

Lebanon Stability Depends On Iran-Saudi Entente

The warming trends in US-Russia and US-Iran ties may or may not benefit Lebanon, unless Iran and Saudi Arabia end their sectarian regional policies. 

Saudi Arabia

Is Iran Changing Its Policies In Syria, Lebanon?

While eyes are on the Oct. 15-16 nuclear talks in Geneva, Iranian policies in Lebanon and Syria may already be showing a more moderate trend under President Hassan Rouhani.

Lebanon

Syria’s Kurds Divided Over Geneva II Conference

Syria’s Kurdish parties consider whether to be represented independently or as part of the Syrian National Coalition.

Syria