Analysis Beyond bases: Russia’s foothold in Syria shrinks even as ties endure Syria's relations with Russia have entered a new phase with a deal reorganizing Moscow’s military presence, and leaving the door open to continued economic relations and influence. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
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
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
Egypt, Sisi Straddle Past, Present and Future The legacy of former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser hangs over the fate of Egypt and Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Kurdish National Congress Seeks Unity Amid Divisions The Kurdish National Congress, to be held in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region on Aug. 24, will seek a common agenda for Kurds divided over the war in Syria. Iraq
Is Hamas Considering A Move to Beirut? Beirut has been the scene of intense political activity by Hamas as it seeks to restore ties with Hezbollah and Iran. Palestine
Will Eid al-Fitr Bring Hope For Arab World? Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated with an especially heavy heart this year, with massacres still taking place in Syria, hatred in Egypt boiling over and the closure of Gaza continuing. Palestine
Syrian Rebel Forces Set Sights on Latakia Al-Qaeda and affiliated jihadist groups have reportedly taken the lead in an offensive on Syrian Alawite villages. Syria
Worries Grow About Fate Of Kidnapped Syrian Bishops The fate of the two bishops kidnapped in Syria on April 22 is still unknown, but they are feared to have been abducted and killed by Chechen jihadists, according to a Lebanese official. Lebanon
Kurdish Civilians Fear Reprisals in Northern Syria Syrian Kurdish opposition groups claim rebel forces may be targeting Kurdish civilians. Syria
Syria’s Prime Minister Expects Elections in 2014 An exclusive interview with Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki. Syria
Border Clashes Confront Turkey With 'Afghanistan of the Levant' Clashes adjacent to Turkey's border with Syria have the potential of causing a lot of headache for Turkey, not only for their security implications but also for the international image of Turkey and the country's relations with allies, primarily the United States. Syria
Recent Attacks Portend Danger For Lebanon The Lebanese are divided about the Syrian crisis, but recent rocket and other attacks suggest the country might already be entrenched in its neighbor’s civil war. Lebanon
Engel: Sanctions, Not Rouhani, Only Chance for Iran Deal Eliot Engel, ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses sanctions on Iran, his support for missile strikes against Syrian airfields and the need to maintain US military assistance to Egypt. Egypt
Lebanon Needs Viable Solutions For Displaced Syrians Just as it is inevitable that displaced Syrians will continue to flow across the Lebanese border, it is also inevitable that the Lebanese state’s inability to keep up with the burden will drag Lebanon into a crisis of its own. Lebanon