Damascus, Amman exchange threats as border tensions flare

Recent military exercises hosted by Jordan increased the Syrian regime's suspicion about activity on its southern border, while the opposition accuses the regime and Iran of trying to create a land route from Iran to Lebanon, through Syria and Iraq.

Iraq

Can Syrians sway future elections in Turkey?

Close to 2 million Syrians will obtain the right to seek citizenship in Turkey in 2019, a prospect that may have decisive repercussions on a critical election cycle that year.

Syria

Syria's reconstruction plans take shape

Though an end to Syria’s conflict is not in sight, plans for reconstruction projects by the Syrian regime and international aid organizations are underway.

Syria

What’s behind Damascus’ claim of 'invasion from Jordan'?

The Russian media has been closely following Damascus’ claims on military movement on the Jordanian-Syrian border, looking at the goals behind certain claims and how they may impact a political settlement.

Iraq

Is Trump holding a Russian card in the Middle East?

Trump visit launches new US-Saudi partnership, but the endgame in the Middle East still depends on Moscow and Tehran.

Saudi Arabia

Morocco cracks down on fighters returning from IS

The Moroccan authorities are deploying all efforts to curb the phenomenon of former Islamic State fighters returning to their home country by arresting them.

Iraq

Why southern Syria remains Jordan’s biggest security threat

Amman and Washington's concern about an Iranian land corridor from Tehran to Beirut through Iraq and Syria has raised questions about steps Jordan might take along its border with southern Syria, into which extremists are expanding.

Iraq

Syrian orphanages overcrowded with children traumatized by war

An orphanage in Azaz, near Aleppo and the Turkish border, serves hundreds of Syrian children who lost their families in the ongoing war.

Syria

Trump demands Russia, Iran halt Assad atrocities ahead of any deal

The Donald Trump administration accuses Bashar al-Assad's regime of building a crematorium to cover up evidence of mass murder.

Syria

Expectations low as Erdogan arrives in DC

In tomorrow's meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will seek to persuade US President Donald Trump to reverse the decision to arm Syrian Kurdish militia, but Trump is unlikely to reverse course on the closest he has to a sure thing: victory in Raqqa.

Syria

Will arming of YPG help open Kurdish corridor in Syria?

The US decision to provide heavy weapons to the YPG for the Raqqa operation provides hope to Kurds in Syria, but Turkey worries that the arms will be used to establish a Kurdish corridor.

Syria

Statues and words tell story of Syrian women's plight

In Beirut’s Zico House, an exhibition organized by the Syrian Female Journalists Network of clay female figurines accompanies the launch of a book about the lives of Syrian women.

Lebanon