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
Will Idlib buffer zone agreement see the light? The second item of the Turkish-Russian agreement on Syria’s Idlib providing for the withdrawal of jihadist organizations from the heavily demilitarized buffer zone is facing serious obstacles. Syria
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