Four US troops, working dog wounded in Syria raid against Islamic State A senior IS official was killed in a raid in northeast Syria that injured US troops and a working dog, who were transported to Iraq for medical treatment. Syria In Crisis
In a shift, Gulf media outlets broadcast Syria's Assad speech on earthquake Saudi, Emirati and other TV stations in the region typically do not broadcast the Syrian president’s speeches, but relations have slightly improved and Gulf states have sent aid to Syria following the earthquake. Syria In Crisis
US pushes UN vote on aid routes into earthquake-ravaged Syria Six days after Syria's earthquake, the United States called on the UN Security Council to greenlight the use of additional aid corridors through a new resolution. Syria In Crisis
France offers Syria $12.8 million for earthquake via UN agencies, not Assad As ties between Paris are Damascus have been severed since 2012, France will donate humanitarian aid financing to Syria through the UNs and other international mechanisms. Syria In Crisis
Is Defection of Syrian General Part of Russian Plan? There are reports that a high-ranking Syrian Alawite officer, Gen. Ali Habib, has left the country, leaving some thinking this could be part of a Russian plan to reach a solution to the conflict. Lebanon
Iran’s Foreign Minister Backs US-Russia Plan for Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that if there is a chance for peace in Syria, “we have to grab it.” Syria
Syria Crisis Prompts Turkey's New Openings to Its Alevis Turkey’s new liberalization package for its largest religious minority is linked to Syria. Syria
Obama’s Syria Policy Has Potential For Breakthrough on War Al-Monitor’s analysis and coverage of US policy toward Syria. Syria
Syria War Paralyzes Region's Economies General instability in post-Arab Spring Middle Eastern countries, along with ongoing conflicts, has left the region's economic situation particularly dismal. Lebanon
Court Case Reveals Turkey Arms Flow To Syrian Rebels The transfer of Turkish weapons to the Free Syrian Army is documented in a court case in Hatay. Syria
Turkey’s Syria Border on Edge A first-hand account of Turkey’s Syrian border suggests that Turkey continues to provide sanctuary for both rebels fighting the Syrian government and Kurdish forces alike. Syria
Israel's Brooding Versus Hopeful Expectation for Peace Israel's brooding over Syria should be shifted to hopeful expectation of a peaceful outcome. Lebanon
Israel Escapes Retaliation Threat from Syria Russia and Syria have offered the US a respectable way out, without damaging its deterrence, and relieving the region from an immediate retaliatory threat. Israel
Israel Will Pay for Obama’s Hesitancy On Syria Israel should expect little in return for its support of US President Obama's policies on Syria. Israel
Lebanon as 'Theater of Surprise' In Syria War Lebanon is the traditional battlefield for regional conflicts. Lebanon
Obama Administration Should Stop Conflating Syria, Iran The Obama administration is risking a breakthrough with Iran in its rhetoric on Syria. Syria
