Syrian Refugees Now Equal One-Third Of Lebanon’s Population

US leads with assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon but budget battles and a lack of sufficient support from wealthy Arab states threaten to exacerbate Lebanon’s “existential” crisis.

Syria

EU Official Says Iran 'Undoubtedly' Has New Approach to Nuclear Talks

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Pierre Vimont, deputy to High Representative Catherine Ashton, says it's “still rather difficult to conclude that they have presented a new policy.”

Egypt

Brahimi Talks Syria in Iran

Lakhdar Brahimi, UN-Arab League joint representative, tries to enlist Iranian help in the Geneva II conference on Syria.

Syria

Turkey, Iraq Work to Renew Ties

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari’s visit to Ankara last week suggests Turkey is trying to adjust its approach to its neighbors.

Iraq

Kurdish Rebels Ban Child Soldiers

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has signed on to the Geneva Call’s initiative after three years of negotiation.

Syria

Syria’s Race Against Time

UN-Arab League Joint Representative Lakhdar Brahimi presses for Geneva II, while Saudi women are on the road again.

Saudi Arabia

Syrian Kurds Win Support In Battle With Al-Qaeda Forces

Syrian Kurdish forces are winning local support in Ras al-Ain by beating back jihadist groups.

Syria

Aleppo's war economy

Residents of Aleppo have moved beyond the initial shocks of war and are adjusting to make ends meet.

Syria

Syria's Impasse Likely to Last Years

Former UN official Salman Shaikh contends that neither the Bashar al-Assad regime nor the official opposition represent the true will of the Syrian people.

Israel

Syrian Opposition Leader Rejects Iran Role in Syria Conference

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Salem al-Meslet, vice president of National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, calls for the "London 11" group to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Ghouta.

Syria

Malta Sinking Highlights Palestinian Resentment Toward Leadership

Following the death of dozens of Palestinian refugees after a boat headed for Europe sank off the Malta coast, popular discontent toward the inefficiency of Palestinian leaders’ efforts to protect their people has surfaced.

Palestine

Iraqi Shiites join Syria war

Many Iraqi Shiites are joining the fight in Syria, by first receiving weapons training in Iran and then traveling to Lebanon, from where they are taken to Damascus by Hezbollah.

Iraq