Exclusive US envoy Barrack to meet Kurdish SDF chief Kobane in bid to avoid Syria escalation The US special envoy to Syria is expected to meet SDF leader Mazlum Kobane in Erbil amid mounting tensions that threaten to unravel a fragile agreement between the Kurdish-led administration and Damascus. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list? The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate. Algeria
Syria declares 'closed military zone' east of Aleppo as Kurds protest The Syrian government accused the Kurdish-led SDF of mobilizing in the area, reflecting ongoing turmoil following a ceasefire. Syria
Syria’s Sharaa heads to Davos, ending years of global isolation The World Economic Forum begins on January 19 and ends on January 23, hosting a cohort of around 400 political leaders. Syria
Analysis What Syria and Israel’s new communications cell really signals By Rosaleen Carroll , Rina Bassist
Exclusive Closed-door breakdown in Syria-Kurdish talks foreshadowed Aleppo clashes By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syrian soldiers killed in second bus attack in less than a week The deadly ambush in central Syria followed an attack on Syrian soldiers last week that was later claimed by the Islamic State. Syria
Iran, Hezbollah lead mediation to restore Hamas-Damascus ties Mediation efforts led by Iran and Hezbollah to restore ties between Hamas and the Syrian regime seem to be making progress amid rising tensions with their mutual rivals in the region. Palestine
Bus attack leaves dozens dead in eastern Syria Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed when a bus was ambushed in the Deir ez-Zor province. There is significant conflict in the area where Kurdish, government and Islamic State forces all have a presence. Syria
Turkey plays role in livestreaming of northern Syria soccer With the support of Turkey, a Syrian soccer tournament is being broadcast live on the internet, pushing many to follow the games, and advancing the sports sector in the area. Syria
Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian targets outside of Damascus The missiles reportedly killed a Syrian soldier in an air defense unit. Syria
Humanitarian disaster looms over camps during winter The lives of thousands of Syrian families in the Idlib camps lives turn into hell every year with the start of winter amid the lack of heating and rainwater drainage. Syria
Authorities in northeast Syria seek alternatives due to Turkish disruption of water supplies The Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northeast Syria is looking for alternative projects to make up for the suspension of operation of the Alouk water station in Ras al-Ain after the Turkish state repeatedly cut off water. Syria
Syria’s Kurdish-led administration calls on Biden for political recognition SDF commander Mazlum Kobane told Al-Monitor last month he hopes the Biden administration will double the US troop presence in northeast Syria. Syria
US Syria Envoy ‘categorically rejects’ statement by UN rapporteur about Caesar Sanctions US Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn says the blame for Syria’s economic and humanitarian crises rest with Assad, not the US, after Alena Douhan of the UN Human Rights Council said the Caesar Act is hurting Syrians' chances to rebuild infrastructure and live comfortably. Syria
Syrian Kurds deny deal with Russia, Assad government over Ain Issa The Syrian government and Russian media sites are promoting a new agreement between Russia and the Syrian Defense Forces that guarantees the regime's takeover of the Ain Issa area in northern Raqqa. Syria
Arabs in Syrian Kurdish-controlled region on edge following assassinations Al-Monitor conducted a rare reporting trip to Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor region to discuss the situation with the chief of the part of the Arab-majority governorate under Kurdish-led SDF control in the oil-rich and insurgent-prone area. Syria
Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town Turkey has mobilized more forces in the vicinity of the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria, while the Free Syrian Army, an ally of Ankara, intensified its presence in that area amid an agreement between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Russia to ward off Turkey and its allies from the town. Syria