Bashar al-Assad

March 19, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s New Constitution: A Shift Toward Unchecked Presidential Powers

Days before his troops overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa said that Syria deserves a political system in which no “single ruler makes arbitrary decisions.” Yet now, as the country’s...

March 18, 2025 | Behnam Ben Taleblu, Bridget Toomey

U.S. Preemptively Strikes Houthi Positions in Yemen and Signals to Iran

“To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP,” President Donald Trump warned the Iran-backed terror group in Yemen as U.S. Central Command launched a large-scale operation...

March 18, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel widens campaign against former regime military sites in southern Syria

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in southern Syria on the evening of March 17, targeting a number of sites.

March 17, 2025 | |

Syrian Army Deaths Lead to Overnight Clashes Across Syria-Lebanon Border

Syrian Troops Allegedly Kidnapped: Clashes erupted across the Syria-Lebanon border on March 16 after the Syrian transitional government accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of kidnapping...

March 17, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi, Natalie Ecanow

Qatar Slated to Provide Gas to Syria With U.S. Approval

The new Syrian government is set to receive a power boost from Qatar — literally. A Trump administration official confirmed on March 13 that Washington approved a deal whereby Qatar will supply natural...

March 14, 2025 | Joe Truzman |

Israel strikes Palestinian Islamic Jihad command center in Damascus

The state-owned Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Israel targeted a building in the Mashoura Dummar neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, with an airstrike on March 13. The attack wounded...

March 13, 2025 | |

‘No Impunity’: Israel Strikes Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus

Daylight Sortie Over Syrian Capital: The Israeli Air Force struck a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) command center in Damascus on March 13. The site, located in the Dummar suburb...

March 13, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Massacres in Syria Expose New President’s Struggle to Govern

Hundreds of fighters and hundreds more civilians are dead following the bloodiest clashes yet between the new Syrian government and militias loyal to the fallen regime of Bashar al-Assad. On March 6,...

March 11, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

After SDF-Damascus deal, a spotlight on US forces in Syria

On March 10, Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signed an agreement with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al Sharaa. The deal outlines a plan to integrate the SDF and other...

March 11, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What Does Israel Want With Syria?

As Syria faces continued conflict, Israel may be planning a wider confrontation with the new government.

March 11, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Why did Syria’s Kurds sign a deal with the new regime?

On March 10, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Syria’s interim government, integrating the SDF’s 100,000-strong, predominantly Kurdish force into the new Syrian...

March 11, 2025 | |

Israel Says Syrian Druze Permitted to Work in Golan Heights

Defense Minister Invites Syrian Druze to Work in Israel: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on March 9 that Israel would permit Syrian Druze to work in the country’s...

March 8, 2025 | |

Hundreds Killed in Syria as Transitional Government Clashes With Alawite Insurgency

Massive Fighting on Syrian Coast: At least 400 people including 300 civilians have reportedly been killed in three days of intense fighting between Syria’s transitional government...

March 7, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Fierce clashes erupt between Assad loyalists and government forces in western Syria

On March 6, Syria witnessed the most intense and bloodiest clashes between the new Syrian government and loyalists to dictator Bashar al Assad since the Assad regime’s downfall on December 8. These battles...

March 6, 2025 | Saeed Ghasseminejad, Behnam Ben Taleblu

Bridging the Atlantic to Counter Tehran

Trump’s return to the White House shakes global alliances but creates a crucial chance to unite against Iran’s growing threat. Saeed Ghasseminejad and Behnam Ben Taleblu lay out a bold plan to counter Tehran’s nuclear drive and regional aggression.

March 5, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

Iran’s loss is Turkey’s gain

Recent diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Iran reflect a broader shift in the Middle East: Turkey has filled the vacuum left by Tehran, much to the Islamic Republic’s discontent.

March 5, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call?

On February 27, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan called for the group to disarm and end its conflict with Turkey, according to a message he released from prison.

March 5, 2025 | David Daoud |

Nasrallah’s funeral was Hezbollah’s desperately needed lifeline

Hezbollah is in a crisis. The group suffered an unprecedented drubbing by Israel, which decimated most of its arsenal, eliminated a substantial number of its fighters, and killed its iconic Secretary-General...

March 4, 2025 | |

Putin Spokesman Confirms Russian Offer to Mediate Between U.S. and Iran Over Iranian Nuclear Program

‘U.S. and Iran Should Solve All Problems Through Negotiations’: A top spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime confirmed on March 4 that Moscow was willing...

March 3, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi, Joe Truzman

Nascent Syrian armed group emerges to confront Israeli forces

An armed organization calling itself The Islamic Resistance Front in Syria—Great Might (formerly known as The Front for the Liberation of the South) has issued statements warning the Israel Defense Forces...