Turkey, Russia Agree on Demilitarized Zone in Syria’s Idlib Region

JIM HEINTZ / The Associated Press Sep 17, 2018 The area will be established by Oct. 15 and be 9 to 12 miles deep, with troops from Russia and NATO-member Turkey conducting coordinated patrols. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Iran Summit Seeks to Avert a Bloodbath in Northwest Syria

ZEINA KARAM / The Associated Press Sep 6, 2018 The presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran are due to meet in Tehran in hopes of reaching a last-minute deal to prevent a massacre in Syria’s last opposition stronghold. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Meet the Mysterious Fixer Who Negotiated Syria Out of Seven Years of War

Rania Khalek / Grey Zone Aug 3, 2018 How a nearly unknown businessman named Khaled al-Ahmad became Damascus’ secret liaison to the West and is quietly bringing Syria’s grinding war to a close. Dig deeper ( 19 Min. Read )

Both Sides in Syrian Conflict Use Media to Stereotype Women

Zaina Erhaim / Truthdig Aug 1, 2018 Regime media paints a modern, Western-friendly picture, while opposition media depicts women as passive and dependent. Emerging news outlets are trying to present a more accurate image. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Assad: West Is Fueling Syria War, Hoping to Topple Him

The Associated Press Jun 10, 2018 The Syrian president says that Western nations have lied about chemical attacks and supported terrorist groups in his country, while Russia has supported his government against the foreign “invasion.” Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Massive Mission Creep in Syria Despite Trump’s Pledge to Withdraw

Juan Cole / Informed Comment May 28, 2018 The U.S. is now doing the opposite of what it said it would in the war-torn Middle Eastern nation. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

No, Iran and Hezbollah Haven’t Taken Over Lebanon

Juan Cole / Informed Comment May 9, 2018 Given all the talk of Donald Trump pulling out of the Iran deal in part because of Tehran’s supposed regional dominance, Lebanese election results will probably be entangled with this policy. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Blurred Line Between War and Business

Julian Vigo / Truthdig May 6, 2018 Powerful people in Washington have created an industry around big data, private militias and American foreign policy. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

The Hypocrisy of U.S. Strikes in Syria

Maj. Danny Sjursen / AntiWar.com Apr 26, 2018 Why does Donald Trump feel inclined to attack Bashar Assad's forces only in the case of chemical attacks rather than the more frequent conventional bombings? Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Mission Accomplished

Jeff Danziger / Truthdig Apr 22, 2018 Dig deeper

Syria Pummels Islamic State-Held Districts in Damascus

ZEINA KARAM / The Associated Press Apr 22, 2018 Government forces use warplanes, helicopters and artillery in a bid to enforce an evacuation deal reached with the militants earlier in the week. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

What Will Happen to Syria After Trump’s Withdrawal?

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Apr 19, 2018 The president’s plan to remove U.S. troops resolves diplomatic problems with Russia, Damascus and Turkey but raises thorny questions on other fronts. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )