Iraq's Zaidi meets Sharaa on first Syria visit: What to know Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has sought to assuage concerns about his past militant activity in Iraq, whose oil trade and security cooperation with his two country is rising. Iraq
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Netanyahu leads, but no majority in sight With more than 85% of votes counted in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc leads with 54 seats to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc’s 49, but neither side has a clear path to a governing majority. By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
Syria slams Jordan over crossborder strikes, denies coordination: What to know Jordan said its airstrikes targeted ISIS fighters, while Syria said civilians were killed, sparking outrage. Syria
Culture Syrian women easy target in Sharaa’s drive to consolidate power Syria’s interim president is balancing Western demands for inclusion with pressure from Islamist hard-liners as he seeks to consolidate power and shed his jihadi past. Syria
Analysis How Israel’s elections could bring thaw with Syria By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Netanyahu says he spoke with Syria’s Sharaa By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Ankara Warns Against Kurdish Autonomy in Syria While the Kurdistan Democratic Union (PYD) takes control of Syrian territory close to the Turkish border, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warns Kurds against declaring an autonomous Kurdistan. Syria
Syrian Kurds Prepare For Self-Governance The PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party is consulting the political parties of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq on plans to form an interim government for Kurdish-controlled enclaves in Syria. Iraq
Clashes Re-Erupt in Syria Between Al-Qaeda, Kurds Fighting between the Kurdish People’s Defense Units (YPG) and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jahbat al-Nusra killed at least four Jabhat al-Nusra fighters in the city of Ras al-Ain, Syria. Syria
US Outs Israel on Syria Attack? Blame Edward Snowden Why are the Americans providing the international media with information about alleged covert Israeli operations while the Europeans are ratcheting up the settlement boycott? Israel
Squeaks in US-Israeli Relations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments on "Face the Nation" about what the US should do about Iran stir controversy. Israel
Aleppo Starves Under Siege A firsthand account of the devastating rebel siege of Aleppo that is depriving 2 million residents of basic supplies. Syria
Obama Administration Should Clarify Syria Policy The US objective should be to convene the Geneva Conference on Syria as soon as possible, not to provide an open-ended commitment to the Syrian rebels. Syria
Syrian Child Refugees Find Little Solace on Beirut Street The tragedy of Syria's war is evident on the streets of Beirut, where working Syrian children struggle to survive. Palestine
Syrian War Keeps University Students at Home A report from Amuda, in northeast Syria, where students have been forced to abandon their studies due to the war. Syria
Turkish-Kurdish Peace Process Poorly Managed Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan needs to address the trauma resulting from the fight against PKK terror for over three decades. Iraq
Levin Says US Should Consider Limited Military Strikes on Syria Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Carl Levin says only increased US support for vetted rebel groups can level the Syrian playing field and allow for a political settlement. Syria
Bomb Shakes Hezbollah Stronghold A first-hand account from the Bir el-Abed neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs, the scene of a bombing today, July 9, which injured 53. Lebanon