US, Turkey agree on Manbij road map, but when will they get there?

Ankara is pleased with Washington’s endorsement of a plan to rid Manbij of YPG fighters, but many questions remain and the plan’s implementation could take time.

Syria

Armed factions join forces to counter Syrian regime gains

Opposition militias in north and central Syria are banding together in the hope that a unified front will be able to fend off regime advances.

Syria

Ankara hypes US-Turkey deal on Manbij

The Washington meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may mark a turning point in troubled US-Turkey ties.

Syria

What’s next for Syrian refugees in Lebanon?

As pressure is increasing on Lebanon’s economy, the Lebanese authorities are working to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees, despite the hesitation of the international community and the United States.

Lebanon

US-Turkey road map in Syria risks Kurdish blowback

The Pentagon’s Kurdish allies could get shut out as the United States and Turkey move closer to a deal to settle a dispute over the contested Syrian city of Manbij.

Syria

Iran undeterred by possible Russia-Israel deal on Syria

Iranian analysts believe any possible deal for Iran to pull back from Syria is designed to prevent the end of the country’s civil war.

Palestine

Trump missing piece in Putin’s Syria plan

The Russian president needs the United States to stabilize Syria, but expects sanctions relief in return.

Israel

US hopes for a quick Syria exit run into a minefield in Raqqa

The Donald Trump administration faces significant hurdles getting the centerpiece of its reconstruction efforts back on track.

Syria

Moscow updates playbook on making Israel, Iran happy

Russia faces the conundrum of figuratively finding common ground between Iran and Israel in Syria while literally keeping distance between them.

Israel

Is it true that Afrin's natives can't go home again?

The battle appears to be over in Afrin, Syria, but a war of words, and worse, continues there as the Kurdish People’s Protection Units accuse the Turkish army and its affiliated militias of forcing demographic change.

Syria

Idlib could be trump card or time bomb for Turkey

Turkey may be pushing its luck by expanding its operational field into Latakia province, provoking skirmishes with the Syrian army.

Syria

Forces in Iraq's Anbar unite for cross-border anti-IS operation

As the second phase of the operation to retake the last major pocket of territory held by the Islamic State across the border continues, local Iraqi forces in the western Anbar city of Qaim are wary but hopeful that some of their disappeared may soon be found.

Iraq