Analysis Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds? Damascus is making limited but tangible progress in its engagement with Syrian Kurds, even as Ankara seeks to shape the terms of any settlement. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
US troops depart Syria, ending decade of presence in fight against ISIS The last major American bases in Syria have been turned over to the government in Damascus, US military officials confirmed to Al-Monitor. Syria
Analysis How the Iran war can help Syria manage Turkey and its regional rivals Rising regional tensions and disrupted oil flows are giving Damascus leverage to balance Ankara and other neighbors while exploring alternative energy corridors. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria reopens key crossing after 11 years, aiding Iraq's oil exports amid war Iraq and Syria have shown a desire to cooperate on oil exports, and the matter has become more urgent due to the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Syria
Analysis Why Germany may struggle to meet Merz’s 80% Syria repatriation goal By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
House panel considers US policy options in Syria Members of the subcommittee also pressed witnesses on whether regime change in Syria is an option. United States
Intel: US endorses watchdog report blaming Syria for chemical attack The report from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found "reasonable grounds" to believe that the Syrian air force dropped chlorine on a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria in 2018. Syria
Islamic State maintains foothold in Syrian desert The Islamic State continues to cause trouble for the regime forces in large desert areas of central and eastern Syria. Syria
Syrian organizations work to remove war remnants in northwest Syria Syria has been labeled one of the worst countries in the world in terms of the number of mines planted since the war broke out in 2011, with more than 12,000 killed in mine and explosive accidents. Syria
Is al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria’s Idlib on its way to demise? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, is close to ending the presence of al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din, after arresting one of its top active commanders and closing its military facilities in the area. Syria
Kurdish forces agree to deliver oil, Syrian regime reopens crossings The Syrian government has reopened crossings between the areas it controls and those held by Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria in exchange for oil shipments. Syria
First pharmaceutical factory opens in Syrian opposition area The first pharmaceutical factory in the opposition-controlled areas in northwestern Syria was inaugurated, in a bid to address the lack of medicines and high prices. Syria
Aleppo expands as displaced population grows Massive displacement from the war has brought thousands of Syrians north, and with them urban expansion. Syria
War over economic routes heats up in Syria Syria’s economic collapse is stoking the struggle over commercial routes between government-held areas and US- and Turkish-backed enclaves, fueling also disagreements on humanitarian aid. Turkey
Tribes in east Syria resort to their own judiciary over lack of trust in official courts Tribes in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah agreed to set up a tribal judiciary system as an alternative to the official judiciary affiliated with the Kurdish-led authorities running the area. Syria
Syria donor conference raises $6.4B, far short of UN target Of the more than $6 billion raised during the pledging conference, $4.4 billion is set aside for this year. Syria