Golan Heights

Israeli army soldiers add zip ties to the mast of an Israeli flag flying at a special area for exercises during a military drill in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on July 8, 2025.

Why Syria and Israel should walk, not run, towards peace

This is a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to agree a détente between two hostile neighbours, but getting there is tricky. Several issues must (but can) be overcome.

Michael Harari 11 July 2025

Elderly members of the Druze community gather in solidarity with the victims of the attack in Majdal Shams on July 30, 2024, in the Syrian town of Quneitra.

LOUAI BESHARA / AFP

Syrian Druze wary of Israel's creeping presence in Quneitra

Residents of Quneitra province are wary of a creeping Israeli presence in their land, with some vowing "not to betray" those who died to keep the land Syrian

Shelly Kittleson 01 February 2025

A Syrian man looks towards an Israeli tank positioned in the Syrian town of Madinat al-Baath, in the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the annexed Golan Heights on 20 December 2024.

Bakr Alkasem / AFP

Rather than extend a hand, Netanyahu rains on Syria’s parade

Joyous at Iran's lost influence in Syria, Israel could have celebrated with Syrians after Assad's ouster. Instead, it rained bombs down, occupied land, and destroyed Syrian assets. Why? Ask Netanyahu

Frederic C. Hof 22 December 2024

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