Biden has been pushing for a deal for more than a year with no success until now. Is Trump the reason?

For a country that needs to include all its varied elements if it is to heal, there are some worrying early signs in the recruitment of a new army. The region offers many lessons in what not to do.

A convergence of factors has emboldened Israel and put Iran on the back foot. The coming months could very well see simmering tensions boil over.

Many agreements were one-sided in favour of Damascus, with some never ratified, implemented or even known about at all. Calls are now mounting to rebalance the relationship.

The Ba'ath movement was a big part of the Arab world for almost 80 years. Its demise in Iraq after 35 years in power—and in Syria just recently—comes with important lessons.

During the French Mandate, Syria's women's movement went from grassroots protest to established force, setting up schools, helping the poor, and calling for rights and votes

An army chief who impressed both at home and abroad in recent years was handed a six-year term to fill the void in this important but largely ceremonial role. Who is he, and what is on his to-do list?

While Trump's rhetoric doesn't always match his actions, there are more signs than not that the US will draw down its forces in the region, leaving room for other actors to step in

Buoyed by a string of recent successes, the Turkish president wants to capitalise on a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to finally put to rest a longstanding battle with the PKK