Syria Conflict

Members of a family riding a motorcycle drive past a charred car in the town of Jableh in Syria's coastal province of Latakia on March 12, 2025. At least 1,383 civilians, the vast majority of them Alawites, were killed in a recent wave of violence that gripped Syria's Mediterranean coast, a war monitor said on March 12. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Feature

Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return

More than 30 members of one family spoke to Al-Monitor after fleeing into northern Lebanon from Syria amid a spasm of sectarian violence in the country. Many remain skeptical that it's safe to return.

Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media during a guided tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts before leading a board meeting, on March 17, 2025, in Washington.

Trump's Middle East strategy faces scrutiny as Gaza reignites

As the civilian death toll climbs in Gaza, can the self-proclaimed peacemaker president get both sides back to the negotiating table?

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Feature

‘Afraid of what’s next’: Alawites in Syria’s Homs on edge after revenge attacks

Alawites in Homs say the regime's overthrow has fueled sectarian tensions in the divided city.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A Lebanese soldier sets up barbed wire at the Lebanon-Syria border in Al-Arida on Dec. 9, 2024.

After ceasefire, Lebanon and Syria patrol border as top US commander calls Haykal

Lebanon and Syria reached a ceasefire late Monday evening after another incident of deadly border clashes.

Latest News

Israel pushes militarily in southern Syria as new strikes kill 3: What we know

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey, alarmed by sectarian clashes, steps up Syria role, criticizes Iran

Fidan Syria

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Syria's Kurdish-led forces say Turkish strike kills 9 as Ankara mulls PKK peace

People ride on a motorcycle as thick smoke rises from an oil extracting facility targeted by Turkish shelling near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Oct. 25, 2024.

Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks during a briefing on US President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan on February 11, 2020 in New York. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the UN Security Council that the world should reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, which he said would limit Palestinian sovereignty in a "Swiss cheese" deal. "We reject the Israeli-American plan," which "throws into question the legitimate rights of the Palestinians," Abbas said, brandishing a large map of

Israeli army forces patrol in the village of Kfarshuba, southern Lebanon, Feb. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Israel’s two-pronged Lebanon strategy: Pursue border deal, strike Hezbollah

Israel is trying to negotiate a border demarcation with the Lebanese government while continuing to keep Hezbollah in check.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Turkish policemen try to secure the area after a strong explosion of unknown origin shook the busy shopping street of Istiklal in Istanbul, on Nov. 13, 2022.

Turkey detains 5 in alleged Iran spy ring as Syria tensions brew: What we know

The spy bust comes amid diplomatic strains between Turkey and Iran that surfaced after a rare rebuke of Tehran by Turkey's top diplomat.

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa receives the country's constitutional declaration, which will be enforced throughout a five-year transitional period, before signing it at the presidential palace in Damascus on March 13, 2025. Sharaa said he hoped the constitutional declaration would mark the start of "a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice", as he signed the document setting out the transitional period. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP) (Photo by BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty I

Syria's draft constitution: Separation of powers, territorial unity and Islamic jurisprudence

After more than a week of uncertainty amid violent clashes and Israeli strikes, Syria's interim president has signed a constitutional declaration.

A member of the Syrian security forces stands guard at the site of an Israeli air strike on a building in Damascus in an area where Palestinian leaders are known to reside, on March 13, 2025.

Israel confirms strikes in Syria's capital, says targeted Islamic Jihad: What we know

The aerial attack came after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors and amid ongoing Israeli strikes.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan looks on during a press briefing meeting to review the past year and to share insights regarding regional and global developments in Istanbul, on January 10, 2025. Turkey's top diplomat ruled out any role for French troops in Syria on January 10, 2025, saying Washington was its only interlocutor as US officials sought to head off Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Senior Turkey delegation visits Syria following Sharaa-SDF deal

Turkey’s top diplomat, intelligence and defense chiefs have arrived in Damascus following a key deal between Syria’s new rulers and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses a speech during the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as part of the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress at the Ankara Arena in Ankara, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Turkey’s Erdogan says he's ready to meet with Kurds brokering peace with PKK

Erdogan's willingness to engage with Kurdish leaders signals a potential shift in Turkey's stalled peace process with the PKK after years of tension and setbacks.

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) and SDF leader Mazloum Kobane sign an agreement in Damascus on March 10, 2025.

Analysis

Syria’s Kurds win big as Sharaa shakes hands with Kobane to save his own skin

The surprise deal between Syria’s interim president and the Kurdish leader marks a pivotal moment for the country’s Kurdish minority and shifts the balance of power amid escalating violence.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Walid Jumblatt (L), the Druze former leader of Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), attends a meeting with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

After SDF agreement, Syria's Sharaa meets Druze leaders seeking deal

Syria’s government has yet to confirm an agreement with Druze leaders and factions in Suwayda to integrate the province into state institutions.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoan (3-R) greets Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (2-L) next to Bolivia's President Luis Arce (L) and Argentina's President Javier Milei (R) before the group photo at the end of the first session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Iran’s role recedes, Israel alarmed by Turkey-Syria-Egypt alignment

Could a new triple axis replace the yearslong threat against Israel of Iran and its proxies?

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Sharaa Kobane

Syria's president announces deal to integrate Kurdish-led SDF into state structure

The new government in Damascus is seeking to integrate all armed groups in Syria under its command.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

SYRIA - MARCH 7: Fighters with the new Syrian government drive between Tartus and Latakia on March 7, 2025 on the road between Tartus and Latakia, Syria. Dozens of people have been killed in clashes between loyalists of the deposed Assad regime and forces of the country's new rulers. It is the heaviest such fighting since Syrian rebels toppled the Assad regime last December. (Photo by Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images)

Analysis

Deadliest Syria clashes since Assad's fall test Sharaa, outside support

Experts told Al-Monitor that the clashes pose a significant challenge to Sharaa and could further deepen Washington’s uncertainty on how to engage with Damascus.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

People gather to celebrate an iftar meal organized by a humanitarian organization, as they break their fast on March 4, 2025, amid the ruins of the Qaboun neighborhood of Damascus, Syria.

Feature

Syria’s post-Assad economy falters as US stalls on sanctions relief

Three months after Syria's rebel takeover, all eyes are on Ahmed al-Sharaa and whether he can stabilize the economy as promised.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights