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
Why are Syria's IDPs returning home? UNHCR Filippo Grandi visits Douma, Syria; Jabhat al-Nusra dead-enders and foreign fighters face last stand in Idlib. Saudi Arabia
Saudi, Syrian foreign ministers visit Moscow for talks After separate sets of discussions with the Syrian and Saudi foreign ministers, Russia continues to dwell on its displeasure with US moves in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Idlib museum throws open doors in defiance of threats The Idlib museum, whose collections rival those in Aleppo and Damascus, reopened last month, despite having lost an unknown number of its treasures to looters. Syria
When will Jordan-Syria border crossing reopen? Since the Syrian regime has taken control of southern Syria, including the Nassib border crossing, hopes to resume trade and boost the economy between Jordan and Syria have been revived. Jordan
Are Russia, US back to square one on Syria? Days before the Syrian foreign minister's visit to Moscow, Russia's ambassador to the United States met with US officials to discuss concerns over a possible US retaliatory attack on Syria. The meetings come amid Syrian preparations to retake Idlib and an increase in the Russian and US naval military presence in the Mediterranean. Syria
Zarif: Even America’s allies not immune to US sanctions During an unannounced trip to Turkey, Iran’s foreign minister warned America’s allies that they are not immune to US pressure. Syria
New IDF strategy to focus on missiles Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman intends to establish a new military corps dedicated to missiles and rockets to counter growing threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Syrian army. Israel
Turkey connecting Syria's al-Bab to its power supply Turkey's State Electricity Generating Company has been awarded the contract to supply al-Bab, in northern Syria, with electricity. Syria
US offer of F-35s falls flat as Turkey clings to Russian missiles A delegation of US Congress members has failed to convince Ankara to give up on acquiring its Russian missile defense system in return for fulfillment of its order of American fighter jets. Syria
Will Turkey’s 'strategic partnership' with Russia cover Idlib? Ankara is looking to Moscow to prevent an attack on Idlib by the Russian-supported Syrian army. Syria
US scrambles for Syria deal ahead of Idlib offensive The Donald Trump administration is pressing Russia for concessions before Bashar al-Assad’s regime finishes taking back the country. Syria
Erdogan set to meet Putin, Rouhani in Iran to weigh options on Syria Turkey, Iran and Russia are set to hold a three-way summit in September in Iran, where Erdogan will likely renew pleas for more time to work out a deal separating the “moderates” from the “terrorists” in Syria's Idlib. Syria