
U.S. Fears Syria’s Assad Meddling in Fragile Lebanon
A State Department assessment warned the Syrian regime is worsening Lebanon’s economic collapse.

The United States Can Counter Putin and Assad With a Light Footprint in Syria
Washington can reduce Moscow’s influence and support Kurdish allies without a large troop presence in the region.

Document of the Week: When Ordering the Assassination of a World Leader Required Secrecy
Unlike Trump, former U.S. President Richard Nixon went to great lengths to cover up plans to assassinate or topple foreign leaders.

Assad’s Horrible War Crimes Are Finally Coming to Light Under Oath
A German court is exposing Syria’s systemic atrocities—and ending any hopes of international reconciliation with the regime.

Syria Is Still Trying to Use Chemical Weapons
And not just against civilians at home—but potentially against regional rivals.

The Islamic State Isn’t Behind Syria’s Amphetamine Trade
After a record seizure, Italian police blamed the terror group. It’s more likely the Syrian regime has a hand in production and trafficking.

How to Aid Syria Without Aiding Assad
U.N. agencies have submitted themselves to government control and approval. Donors must demand higher humanitarian standards or send their money through other channels.

Sanctions Against Syria Will Help, Not Harm, Civilians
The Caesar Act is an overdue effort to starve the Assad regime of the resources that fuel its atrocities.

The War Has Arrived Inside the Assad Family
Syria’s dictator crushed an uprising—but the ground may be crumbling beneath his feet.

The U.N. Won’t Save Idlib. The EU and NATO Can.
It’s too late to defeat the Assad regime, but a humanitarian intervention by the EU and NATO could prevent countless deaths and another massive refugee crisis.

Turkey’s Intervention in Syria Will Slow Assad, But It Won’t Stop Him
Ankara's latest move might slow the Syrian regime's Russian-backed onslaught on Idlib, but the tyrant will remain on the throne so long as the world turns a blind eye.

Russia Is the Only Winner in Syria
With Washington’s policy in chaos and Erdogan moving into Putin’s orbit, Moscow has come out on top.

Assad Is Now Syria’s Best-Case Scenario
The ruthless Syrian dictator is guilty of countless war crimes—and regrettably represents his country’s least bad remaining option.

The United States Still Needs a Syria Strategy
Leaving the refugee crisis unresolved while legitimizing the brutal Assad regime will only do further harm to U.S. interests in the Middle East.

Turkey’s War in Syria Was Not Inevitable
U.S. strategy in Syria has long been plagued by short-term thinking, while Russia, Turkey, and Iran played a long game. Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds is just the latest chapter in Washington’s bungled approach to the region.

The Rise and Fall of a Russian Mercenary Army
After a deadly debacle in Syria, Vladimir Putin has put the Wagner Group in its place—but plenty of other private security firms remain, and they could pose a threat to security in Russia and beyond.

Europe’s Fear of Refugees Is the Only Thing That Can Save Syria
Bashar al-Assad is on the verge of victory after massacring his population with Russian help. But the EU’s fear of yet another refugee influx could spur action to stop the carnage.

Turkey Can’t Host Syrian Refugees Forever
Voters across the political spectrum have become hostile toward the millions of people who fled Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his opponents are now responding with tough talk on repatriation.