Iraq, Syria lay plans to reopen border

Despite the ongoing threats from Islamic State militants along the Iraq-Syria border, the two countries are preparing to reopen important crossings.

Iraq

Moscow, Syrian High Negotiations Committee go down to-do list on Syria

Following the Syrian High Negotiations Committee's visit to Russia, Syrian opposition groups are faced with a choice: wait until Washington upholds its position on the country's settlement or hop on the bandwagon with Moscow.

Syria

Northern Syria heats up as next likely US-Turkey flashpoint

Despite speculation that Turkey and the United States might repair their tense relations now that one key issue is settled, an Erdogan adviser called Turkey's shelling east of the Euphrates River “a friendly message to the US.”

Syria

Cairo bolsters bond with Moscow as US grows distant

Egypt, feeling a chill in the air in Washington, is warming up to Russia.

Palestine

Iraqi border city eyes IS advance amid dust storms

Iraqi security forces on Iraq's border with Syria have been placed on a higher level of alert amid an Islamic State advance on the Syrian side of the border.

Iraq

Turkey, Russia seek European input on Syria settlement

The heads of four nations gathered in Istanbul last week, all seeking to promote their countries' own national interests in Syria. But it's unclear if they'll eventually be able to negotiate a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis that Damascus will accept.

Syria

Turkey raises stakes in Syria with shelling of Kurdish targets

The Turkish military has fired on Syrian Kurdish positions east of the Euphrates River for the first time in a move that could heighten tensions with the United States.

Syria

Syrian businessmen succeed in Turkey

Syrian businessmen continue to partner with Turks in Turkish enterprises, even though such Turkish sponsorship is no longer required by law.

Syria

US mosque strikes point to looser targeting rules in fight against Islamic State

A spate of airstrikes against mosques in Syria hints at the American military accepting fewer restrictions on battlefield targeting, with higher risks for civilians.

Syria

Erdogan scores points in his foreign policy gamble

Turkish President Erdogan scores major diplomatic points from the Khashoggi case to the quadrilateral summit in Istanbul.

Saudi Arabia

Netanyahu losing his diplomatic ‘magic touch’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, master of international diplomacy, seems to be losing his magic touch: Ties with Jordan and Russia are shaky, the alliance with Saudi Arabia draws criticism and the Trump team might present its peace plan at any moment.

Palestine

Azaz gun control aims to keep civilians safe

The local councils of Azaz and the surrounding villages decided to impose gun control measures to keep weapons out of the hands of civilians and Free Syrian Army factions.

Syria