Analysis As Assad softens tone, can Turkey and Syria normalize relations? As news of normalization between Turkey and Syria and a meeting between the Turkish president and his Syrian counterpart abound, many strategic and technical questions need to be addressed. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Italy appoints ambassador to Syria in latest sign of European thaw Syria’s relations with the international community are gradually improving amid the ongoing civil war. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Russia, Turkey FMs meet in Laos, discuss Syria reconciliation efforts The two top diplomats’ talks come after the Russian and Syrian presidents discussed the Turkish president’s invitation to hold a three-country leaders' summit with his Syrian counterpart after more than a decade of hostilities. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria’s Assad meets Putin in Russia amid Turkey dialogue push Russia has been the main backer of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces against rebels throughout the Syrian civil war. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Iraq aims to host first meeting between Turkey's Erdogan, Syria's Assad By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis As Erdogan woos Assad, is Turkey-Syria reconciliation rhetoric or reality? By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Saudi Arabia and Syria resume regular flights as thaw with Assad advances By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Turkey strikes near US base in Syria after Pentagon calls for de-escalation The US military says it opposes Ankara's plans to send ground troops against Syria's Kurds, but it has stood down in the face of similar attacks in the past. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey bombs Syria, Iraq in response to Istanbul terror attack Fears are rising in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeast over a potential military incursion by Turkey. By Al-Monitor Staff
Syrian jihadist group HTS challenges Turkish-backed factions Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tried to enter the Turkey-backed factions’ stronghold to support Ahrar al-Sham that refused to support the newly formed leadership by some groups within the movement. By Sultan al-Kanj
Infighting in Turkish-backed faction leads to tension in Syria's Afrin It seems Hayat Tahrir al-Sham lost a loyal faction after several currents with the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sham factions isolated the movement’s current leadership and appointed their own leader. By Khaled al-Khateb
Turkey points to Kurdish militants for deadly Istanbul bombing Turkish security forces have arrested a Syrian woman they say confessed to carrying out the attack under instructions from Kobani, but both the Kurdistan Workers Party and Syrian Kurdish forces deny any involvement. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Syrian jihadi group exploits poverty in Idlib to attract new members Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Idlib, is taking advantage of the difficult living conditions of the people to attract more people into its ranks by offering high salaries. By Mouneb Taim
Syrian Salafists oppose opening of movie theatre in Idlib Salafist groups opposing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are criticizing the group for allowing the reopening of a film theater in Idlib, accusing it of steering away from Islam to court the West. By Mohammed Hardan
Why is Iran allying itself with Syrian tribal brigade in Aleppo? A group of Iranian clerics visited the headquarters of the Baqir Brigade, Iran's ally, in the city of Aleppo. The brigade has played a major role in curbing Russian influence in Aleppo in favor of Iran. By Sultan al-Kanj
Syrian government aligned forces, Islamic State battle in south Local factions that include former members of the Free Syrian Army are fighting alleged Islamic State members in southern Syria's Daraa with the support of the Syrian government. By Khaled al-Khateb
Airstrikes on Syria-Iraq border target Iranian fuel convoy Iran blames a deadly unidentified attack on a fuel convoy shortly after it entered Syria on the US, despite official denials. By Shelly Kittleson
Turkey turns up pressure on allies in Syria Turkey is using the jihadis’ march into Afrin to push its rebel allies in Syria to reorganize as a coherent, disciplined force. But what happens next if the factions fail to do so by the reported year-end deadline? By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics