Analysis Why Syria and Iraq are taking different approaches to armed groups By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Culture Syria reopens Aleppo's 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque after 13 years Syrian authorities are working to restore cultural landmarks and ancient sites that had been damaged or destroyed during the civil war. Syria
Analysis Why Syria sending troops to Yemen would be a risky bet for Sharaa Syria insists it will not send troops to fight the Houthis alongside Saudi Arabia, but its economic dependence on Riyadh could complicate Damascus’ resistance to the idea. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel's Oct. 7 accountability debate Houthis strike Yemen airport, claim new attacks on Saudi Arabia; How language barriers are bringing Syria’s Kurds and Arabs closer; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria panel rushes to offer Trump options before clock runs out A bipartisan panel of experts convened by Congress to help sort out the Donald Trump administration’s Syria policy faces a tight time crunch. Syria
US presence in northern Syria serves the Kurds, not Turkey The US decision to keep 200 troops in northern Syria is a blow to Ankara. Syria
Turkey rows against strong currents in northern Syria The latest statements out of Washington and Moscow have again highlighted the difficulties Ankara faces in trying to achieve its aims in Syria. Syria
Israel hopes Zarif resignation reveals cracks in Iran's Syria policy Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to express his glee when Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif offered his resignation, but what does it mean for Tehran's strategy in Syria? Israel
Despite high price of Syrian reconstruction, business, influence opportunities abound Though Syria's blueprint for reconstruction is ambitious, costly and in some ways at odds with Western priorities, there is some cause for optimism in Damascus' marketing of reconstruction opportunities to friendly states. Syria
Libyan court cracks down on Hamas activities Four Palestinians have been hit with significant jail sentences after a military court in Libya declared them guilty of being affiliated with and aiding Hamas. Palestine
Iraqis divided over continued presence of American forces As Islamic State militias have become active again in different areas of Iraq, the debate over ejecting US forces is on the rise among Iraqi politicians. Iraq
Idlib’s rebels on alert against infiltration by Islamic State The armed groups controlling Idlib remain wary of the prospect of Islamic State militants sneaking into the region, following reports that IS members are seeking safe passage to the province. Iraq
Intel: Iran’s top diplomat offers resignation after being iced out of Syria talks Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suddenly resigned Monday in a post on Instagram where he expressed gratitude “to the dear and honorable Iranian people for the last 67 months” while apologizing for “all the shortcomings during my service.” Syria
UAE steps up anti-Turkey efforts in Syria The United Arab Emirates engages Turkey in a war of words and deeds over Ankara's fight with Kurds in Syria. United Arab Emirates
Erdogan hints at progress on Syrian safe zone Confusion about a possible safe zone in northern Syria has not abated as Turkey's president continues to claim that progress is being made in cooperation with the United States. Syria