France's role in Syria-SDF agreement: What to know

French diplomatic sources highlight the role played by Paris in recent months in reaching an agreement between the Sharaa government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Syria

Analysis

Syria’s Kurdish pullback hands Damascus a win — and new ISIS risks

Cooperation with the United States in the battle against ISIS could prove both a blessing and a curse for the Syrian government.

By Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Analysis

Kurds, Damascus step back from brink as SDF signs fresh deal with Syrian government 

After intense US-led diplomacy, Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led SDF agreed to a ceasefire and phased integration, averting all-out conflict.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Sharaa, Putin meet in Moscow after Russia's abrupt pullout from Syria base

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Moscow, his second in four months, comes days after Russia began withdrawing its forces and evacuating equipment from its military base in northeast Syria.

Syria

Interview

YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities

In an interview with Al-Monitor, YPG spokesman Siyamend Ali said Kurdish forces were successfully repelling advances by the Syrian army, while Damascus accused the Kurds of launching unprovoked attacks.

Siyamend Ali

YPG spokesman

Feature

ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds

With Syrian government forces taking over nearby al-Hol and security breaking down, families of ISIS fighters at Roj Camp live in fear and uncertainty.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syria leans on Jordan, regional gas deals to rebuild energy sector

The deal was signed at the Syrian Ministry of Energy between Syrian Petroleum Company and Jordan’s National Electric Power Company, SANA reported.

Syria

Turkey detains nurse over hair-braiding video in support of SDF

Authorities say the nurse’s social media post amounted to terror propaganda, while critics argue that her symbolic protest falls under freedom of expression as tensions over Syria spill into Turkey’s fragile peace process.

Turkey

Analysis

Syria retakes SDF oil fields, but security concerns cloud investment hopes

For President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, reclaiming the country’s oil fields is both a breakthrough and a test of state capacity as forecasts indicate that a rebound in energy production is possible in 2026.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey’s Syria gains come with risks as Damascus pushes Kurdish integration

Turkey has benefited from the Syrian government’s rollback of the Kurdish-led forces, but whether those gains translate into lasting security, refugee returns and domestic de-escalation will depend on political inclusion in Damascus.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Exclusive

US military negotiated SDF withdrawal from Syria's Raqqa prison

Syrian government forces took full control of Raqqa after hundreds of SDF fighters were evacuated to Kobani under US-negotiated safe passage.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Newsletter: Turkey

A new phase in Turkey-US ties?

Turkey’s relations with the US are seeing a rare boost as Washington signals a scaling back of support for the Kurdish-led SDF, creating new political momentum but leaving risks in Syria unresolved.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO