Analysis How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria Iraq and Syria are expanding trade and energy cooperation, but security risks, economic challenges and longstanding mistrust raise questions about whether their growing partnership can endure. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Netanyahu says he spoke with Syria’s Sharaa Saudi Arabia's international events derailed by war; Syria arrests ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey; and more. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Syria to rejoin Arab group at IMF, leaving Russian-led constituency Syria will rejoin the Arab constituency at the International Monetary Fund beginning Nov. 1 and has applied for membership in the EBRD. Syria
Analysis Why Syria and Iraq are taking different approaches to armed groups By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Why Paris attacks will create backlash for migrants in Europe The recent attack in Paris by the Islamic State, and claims that one of the attackers held a Syrian passport, reignited the issue of the return of Western jihadi fighters to their countries in Europe. Syria
Hawkish Republican candidates don’t mince words on radical Islam While some Republican presidential candidates have been quick to declare a war on radical Islam, there has been little focus on the causes behind its rise. Syria
After Paris, Iran spy chief warns Tehran could be next Iranian officials have warned about the possibility of an attack by the Islamic State. Syria
Paris attacks spoil AKP’s G-20 game plan Turkey's AKP government will not be able to use the G-20 summit as an anti-Kurdish platform. Syria
How one Lebanese woman is clowning around to bring laughter to refugees The nonprofit organization Clowns Without Borders performed for two weeks to offer moments of laughter and levity. Lebanon
Jordan tasked with establishing terrorist blacklist for Syria talks Islamic State terrorism in France and Lebanon leads to new peace plan for Syria; Hamas and Islamic Jihad seek advantage from Palestinian uprising. Palestine
Congress tackles terrorism after Paris attacks Following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, this week Congress will be addressing issues related to a rise in radicalism and President Obama’s plans to increase the number of refugees admitted from war-torn countries. Syria
How to defeat the Islamic State To defeat the Islamic State, the world powers need a clear-cut, unified strategy to guide the war on terrorism. Legacy: Gulf
What will control over Aleppo’s military base mean for Assad? An expert on the situation in Syria talks to Al-Monitor about the repercussions of the Syrian army’s recent operation, where it succeeded in lifting the siege of the Kuweires military air base east of Aleppo. Syria
Has the Islamic State returned to Lebanon? Details of the twin explosions that hit Beirut’s southern suburb — Hezbollah’s stronghold — still need to be revealed, while the Islamic State has already claimed responsibility for it. Lebanon
Are Syria’s Salafi movements witnessing a split? The creation of Jaish al-Sham might be indicative of widening ideological fissures inside Ahrar al-Sham and other Salafi movements in Syria. Syria
Iran doubts US goals in Syria talks Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said Iran will decide whether to participate in the next round of Vienna II talks on Syria after reviewing whether the United States is working behind the scenes to push its own agenda. Saudi Arabia