New Syria sanctions relief (and risks) explained
Firms relying on the recent wave of lifted sanctions and exceptive relief will face significant hurdles in verifying that transactions do not benefit excluded actors
Tahrir al-Sham
The Druze chessboard between Syria and Israel
On May 29, an Israeli security official told the Saudi-owned Arabic news channel Al Arabiya that Israel “will not fight in support of any group in Syria.” The official added that while Israel...
Op-eds
Has the Era of Extremism Ended in the Middle East?
On May 20, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about the U.S. decision to engage with the new Syrian government in Damascus. Rubio said that an unstable Syria has historically...
Op-eds
Syrian military integrates Al Qaeda-linked terror group into its ranks
The new Syrian government is integrating a Central Asian terrorist group that is part of Al Qaeda’s network into its military, despite the objections of US President Donald Trump. The head of this terror...
Op-eds
Trump’s Syria Opportunity
Syrian president Ahmed al-Shara will need to show commitment to stabilizing the country and integrating its regions, while the United States may find it has more leverage now by embracing Damascus.
Op-eds
Trump presses Sharaa on foreign fighters as jihadists rise in Syria’s new army
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump held talks with Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a designated terrorist by both the US and the United Nations and the former head of Syria’s...
Op-eds
President Trump meets with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, lifts sanctions on Syria
President Donald Trump met with Syrian interim president Ahmad al Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, a US and UN-designated terrorist and the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham,...
Op-eds
Can Syria’s New Government Protect the Country’s Minorities?
Syria cannot hope to rebuild itself if it fails in preventing sectarian tensions from erupting into wide-scale violence.
Op-eds
Israel renews airstrikes in Syria as sectarian violence flares
Israel carried out several rounds of airstrikes in Syria between April 30 and May 3 that targeted an area near the presidential palace in Damascus and various sites containing military assets. Israel conducted...
Op-eds
‘Warning Operation’: Israeli Drones Strike Pro-Government Forces Clashing With Druze Factions in Syria
Israeli Officials Reiterate Pledge to Protect Druze: Israel has conducted drone strikes on the outskirts of Damascus, targeting Sunni extremists who attacked members of the Syrian...
Flash Briefs
Pro-Iranian Iraqi politicians, militia leaders object to Syrian president visiting Iraq
A possible visit by Syria’s new transitional president, Ahmad al Sharaa, is causing controversy in Iraq. Several key Shiite political and militia leaders have come out against the visit and called on...
Op-eds
The U.S. Should Not Sell Weapons to Turkey
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently declared Ankara would purchase an estimated $20 billion in American spare parts, ammunition, and electronics for its military. Turkey wants more...
Op-eds
Will U.S. Forces Leave Syria for Good in 2025?
U.S. forces in Syria continue to support their partners in the war against ISIS. This is part of a mission that dates back to 2015, when the U.S. first became involved in Syria. However, recent reports point to an increasing likelihood that the U.S. role in Syria may end within months.
Op-eds
Erdoğan Sets His Sights on Israel
If Trump wants to prevent another regional conflict, calling Turkey’s president a “friend” won’t cut it.
Op-eds
Pro-Iranian Iraqi network releases documents on Ahmad al Sharaa’s identity
On April 16, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani invited Syrian interim President Ahmad al Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, to attend the Arab League summit scheduled for...
Op-eds
Time For a New Policy Toward Erdogan
Turkey and Israel held talks last Wednesday aimed at avoiding a confrontation in Syria as Ankara continues to pursue greater influence in a post-Assad Syria, including through...
Op-eds
Turkey’s Ties to Al-Qaeda Entities in Yemen Threaten Regional Security
“Turkey is a country that loves us, and we love it,” declared Abu Omar al-Nahdi, a former emir in al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch and now the leader of the newly formed Change and Liberation Movement in...
Policy Briefs
Turkey’s Military Presence in Syria is a Threat to Israel
Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, received a warm welcome at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey on April 11, where his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, lambasted Israel as a “terrorist...
Policy Briefs
‘When Your Friends Have Bad Relations’: Azerbaijan Mediates Syria Deconfliction Talks Between Israel and Turkey
Agreed to Continue Discussions: Seeking to avoid “undesirable incidents,” Israel and Turkey held the first round of discussions in Azerbaijan on April 9 to create deconfliction...
Flash Briefs
Why do Iraqi Shiites hate the new Syria and its leader?
One might assume that the most unpopular individuals in Iraq are US President Donald Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.