Sharaa distances Syria from Iran war, says Israel talks ongoing: What to know Negotiations with Israel "have not reached a dead end, but they are progressing with great difficulty” Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. Syria
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
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
Turkish forces withdraw from largest base in northeast Syria Ankara has begun pulling back forces and equipment from an observation post long surrounded by regime forces in Syria’s northeast Idlib province. Syria
Syrian extremist group in Idlib breaks with jihadist ideologue When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was first established, it taught its members the approach of prominent jihadist ideologue Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, but it has now severed ties with him and recanted his ideology. Syria
Athens reaches out to Syria via Greek Orthodox community Syria’s Greek Orthodox Christians hope the resumption of ties between Syria and Greece will help them recover from the war. Syria
White House official traveled to Syria for secret hostage talks The Wall Street Journal first reported that Kash Patel traveled to Damascus in an effort to secure the release of Americans hostages including Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz. Syria
US drone strike kills two suspected al-Qaeda officials in Idlib The strike is believed to have killed a former member of Huras al-Din's Shura Council and a security official. Syria
Rights group says Putin may bear 'command responsibility' for war crimes in Syria Human Rights Watch has named 10 senior Syrian and Russian officials who knew or should have known about the "unlawful attacks" taking place in Idlib. Syria
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Assad pays rare visit to fire-ravaged western Syria The UN says at least three people have died in the fires that erupted last week in Latakia, Tartus and Homs provinces. Syria
Palestinians displaced from Syria's Yarmouk camp to finally go home The camp had been the focus of fighting and seizure by Islamic State and Syrian government forces. Palestine
Russia's outreach to Syrian Kurds highlights dual-track approach While Russia blames the United States for adding fuel to the fire of Kurdish separatism, it calls on the Syrian Kurds to lay the groundwork for constitutional reform, so as to contain conflict in the territories over which Damascus has long lost control. Syria
Intel: Oman ambassador returns to Syria With much of Syria now under Syrian President Basher al-Assad's control, some Arab states are slowly considering the reopening of foreign missions in Damascus. Legacy: Gulf
Car bombing kills more than a dozen in Syria's al-Bab The town controlled by Turkish-backed Syrian rebel forces continues to experience violence. Syria