High-Stakes Diplomacy as Battle for Syria’s Idlib Looms

JON GAMBRELL and NASSER KARIMI / The Associated Press Sep 7, 2018 Iranian and Russian leaders support a military campaign to retake the last rebel-held stronghold in Syria as Turkey's president pleads for a cease-fire. U.S. and others warn of a bloody humanitarian disaster. Dig deeper ( 5 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 )

Certain of Gas Attack, Allies Struck Syria Before U.N. Report

MATTHEW LEE / The Associated Press Apr 14, 2018 The U.S., U.K. and France acted in the awareness that Russian and Syrian forces may already have tried to clean up important evidence in Douma, where dozens died in last weekend's attack. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

New Fronts Emerge as Assad and Allies Push for Victory

ZEINA KARAM / The Associated Press Feb 14, 2018 As Syrian President Bashar Assad’s fight against Islamic State draws to a close, violence has exploded in other areas, threatening an even broader confrontation among regional and world powers. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Syrian Rebels Shoot Down Jet, Kill Russian Pilot

BASSEM MROUE and ZEYNEP BILGINSOY / The Associated Press Feb 3, 2018 The airman reportedly is slain on the ground in an exchange of gunfire with militants trying to capture him. A British-based group has confirmed his death. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Intelligence Experts to Trump: Rethink Syria Escalation

By Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity / Consortiumnews Apr 11, 2017 Two dozen former U.S. intelligence officials urge the president to reconsider his claims blaming the Syrian government for chemical deaths last week and de-escalate tensions with Russia. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Washington’s Supreme Hypocrisy on Chemical Weapons and Civilian Deaths

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Apr 6, 2017 The use of chemical weapons in Syria is an atrocity, but American politicians' outrage draws on myths of American exceptionalism and erosion of political memory . Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

A Game-Changer in Syrian War? (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Mar 31, 2015 The provincial capital Idlib appears to have fallen completely to a Muslim fundamentalist coalition spearheaded by Ahrar al-Sham and the al-Qaida affiliate, the Support Front. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )