Mission Accomplished for Putin in Syria? Yes And No
The intervention managed to keep Bashar Assad in power, but Russia is not out of the woods yet.
Middle East and North Africa
Putin Orders Start of Withdrawal from Syria
The Russian leader starts to pull his troops out of Syria after six months.
Egyptians Suffer as Sisi Consolidates Power
The Egyptian strongman has to balance the interests of the army, security services, judges and tycoons.
Timing Ideal for Iraq’s Kurds to Declare Independence
Regional factors have arrayed in the Kurds’ favor. Things might not stay the same for long.
Why the Free Syrian Army Never Went Anywhere
Relatively moderate and well-educated rebels weren’t numerous enough to lead the Syrian opposition.
Hamas Celebrates Stabbings, Shootings Across Israel
The Palestinian militant group celebrates a series of attacks that leave fourteen wounded and one dead.
Don’t Take Iran Becoming a Better Place for Granted
Outsiders could give Iran’s otherwise doomed revolution a new lease on life if they prove the hardliners right.
Iran’s Elections Unlikely to Matter Much
Decisions in the country are made by a cabal who care little about its elected institutions.
Partition Could Make Violence in Syria Worse
Syria may not be put back together again, but partitioning it now would be to invite ethnic cleansing.
Saudis Not into Syria Just Because They Hate Assad
Saudi rulers are seeking in war a social glue they cannot find elsewhere to hold their subjects together.
Turkey Blames Syrian Kurds, Russia for Ankara Bombing
Turkey accuses a Syrian rebel group for the attacks in its capital and holds Russia responsible as well.
Russia Makes Syrian Puzzle Even More Complicated
By backing the Kurds in Syria, Russia is driving a wedge between Turkey and its NATO allies.
Syria Truce Gives Regime Time to Besiege Aleppo
World powers agree that the fighting in Syria must stop — but not for another week.
Why the Middle East Never Went Secular
Or it did, but then switched back to religion again when the ideologies it had imported from Europe failed.
Assad’s Forces Close In on Aleppo for Decisive Battle
Reclaiming the city for the regime would go a long way toward stamping out Syria’s non-Islamic State opposition.