Ahmed al-Sharaa

Assad brothers summoned in absentia as Syria opens landmark trial of former security chief

The court’s summonses for Bashar and Maher Assad added symbolic weight to a proceeding targeting figures once considered untouchable

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the Political Security Department in Daraa during Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad's rule, who is accused of committing war crimes, attends a trial session at the Palace of Justice, in Damascus, Syria, April 26, 2026.
Illustrative of an Israel flag and Syria flag, with soldiers and weapons.

Israel’s opening in Lebanon, Syria may not last long - opinion

Hezbollah’s weakening and shifts in Syria and Lebanon open a rare diplomatic window for Israel, if it moves quickly and carefully.

|ByELIE PODEH, YOGEV ELBAZ
Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the Political Security Department in Daraa during Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad's rule, who is accused of committing war crimes, attends a trial session at the Palace of Justice, in Damascus, Syria, April 26, 2026.

Syria opens first public trial of former Assad regime official Atef Najib

Syria has opened its first public trial for a former Assad regime official, Atef Najib, marking a shift toward accountability. The trial focuses on crimes committed in Dara’a and Damascus.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026.

Syrian President al-Sharaa positions country for regional role in Gulf, EU meetings

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the Gulf last week as part of his efforts to shore up support for Damascus across the Middle East and Europe amid rising regional tensions.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Syria, Saudi Arabia ink mega investment deals in push for reconstruction after years of war

The deals follow Syria's hosting of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Chevron and a Qatar-based company to pursue offshore oil and gas exploration.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Internal security forces vehicles affiliated with the Syrian government prepare to enter the city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria, following an agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Tel Brak, near al-Hasakah, Syria, February 3, 2026.

Syria’s only female minister warns: 'We can’t survive without unity'

“I don't feel that I am a Christian or a woman when I do my job. I feel like I am a Syrian citizen. The minute I start feeling like I’m a minority or I’m a woman, I will lose my legitimacy," she said

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByESTHER DAVIS
Newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Hind Kabawat speaks during a Ministerial formation of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic, in Damascus, Syria March 29, 2025.

Syria's old dangers remain: Don’t be fooled by the Syrian strongman’s suit - opinion

Israel saw elected Hamas turn Gaza into a terror enclave, Hezbollah enter Lebanese politics while building a missile empire, and now al-Shaara massacre minorities while wearing a suit.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) is welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, on January 28.

Syria’s Sunni Islamist regime consolidates power, ending Kurdish autonomy

BEHIND THE LINES: The arrival of Syrian forces to Qamishli sets the seal on the effective demise of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByJONATHAN SPYER
A MEMBER of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces rides on a car, while vehicles of the internal security forces of the Syrian government arrive in the city of Qamishli during the curfew, following an agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government on Tuesday.

In potential game-changer, Syria moves ahead on oil deal with Chevron, Qatar - analysis

This could be a major game-changer for Syria as it begins to regrow its economy after decades of sanctions and isolation.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
YUSUF QABLAWI, CEO of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Frank Mount, head of Corporate Business Development at Chevron, and Erik Keskula, CEO of Power International Holding, sign a memorandum of understanding to develop an offshore oil and gas field for Syria.

Damascus reaches out to rival Kurdish factions amid eastern Syria transition - analysis

The changes on the ground are part of a January 30 deal between the Syrian Transitional Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Public Security Forces drive through a crowd as they enter the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria on February 3, 2026, under an integration deal with Kurdish authorities.

Damascus courts Kurdish trust with arrests, Kurds say Sharaa must acknowledge Rojava atrocities

While reports indicate a member of the Syrian Arab Army was arrested for butchering the braid off a murdered female SDF fighter, Kurds say they are still waiting for the violence to be acknowledged

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Members of the Kurdish forces stand guard as Syrian government internal security forces enter the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on February 2, 2026.

Violent Islamism in plain sight spills over in Syria - opinion

As Sharaa continues to disempower the SDF, thousands of ISIS extremists and fighters are poised to spill over into the heartland of Syrian minorities.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByQANTA AHMED
Residents cheer as Syrian government internal security forces enter the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on February 2, 2026.

Why Washington shifts from Syria’s Kurds to Sharaa - opinion

Trump’s military and political backing for the SDF as the central anti‑ISIS instrument has now evolved to a policy where they are a problem that needs solving.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER
US President Donald Trump meets Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa in the White House, Washington, DC, November 10, 2025

Senators seek assurance with Save the Kurds Act as Sharaa regime, SDF agree to integration deal

The Save the Kurds Act calls for snapback sanctions if the Syrian regime recommences attacks on Kurds and demands that HTS be redesignated as a terrorist organization

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Syrian Kurds demonstrate to demand their rights in the Syrian constitution and in support of Kurdish unity, in Qamishli, Syria February 1, 2026.