In the lead-up to the Syria talks in Geneva, attendees should prepare for the US president to shift focus from the political process to the issue of establishing safe zones, Ali Dahi writes in loyalist Al-Watan
The country’s Alawite sect, which has been largely marginalized by Syria’s opposition, must be embraced in any future transitional stage if they are to reach the goals of the Geneva communique, writes Saleh Qallab for Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat
Russia says regular meetings will be held in the Kazakh capital, and will include representatives from the Syrian government and opposition along with other countries, with the aim of working towards implementing the peace process, according to state media
Russian FM rallies for Syria’s return to the 21-member body claiming the suspension of its membership has hindered efforts at securing peace in the country, Syrian state media reports
At least four aid workers wounded in air strikes by the anti-ISIS coalition in the northern province, opposition media reports
Home to hundreds of archeological sites, rebel-held Idelb’s historical artifacts have seen the full effects of corruption, looting and deliberate bombardment over the past six years, as those antiquities that aren’t destroyed are gobbled up by an eager international black market, Hussein Abdullah writes
Lebanese website Al-Modon comments on the fracturing of opposition forces in Syria’s northern provinces as internal fighting forces factions to side with one of the two main rebel groups, Ahrar al-Sham or Al-Qaeda’s affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham
Saudi-owned Al-Hayat details the recommendations inside the separate Kurdish and Russian draft constitutions, which call for greater autonomy for Kurds and a more decentralized government, while also acknowledging the multi-ethnic make-up of Syria’s demography
Loyalist newspaper Al-Watan explains Syrian political opposition figures invited to Russia’s capital Moscow for meetings after news emerged of Russian plans to impose a new constitution on the rebel delegation at Astana
Rebel representative denies opposition delegates agreed to consider Russia’s draft constitution, saying that three issues will determine whether the opposition will continue its participation in political process — these include consolidating the ceasefire, bringing in humanitarian aid and releasing prisoners, Alsouria Net writes
Ain al-Medina explains the reason Moscow sent non-Russian special forces to a foreign country as part of a special mission for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union
Opposition spokesman announced the rebel delegation to Astana refused to address Moscow’s calls to review a new draft constitution, Zaman al-Wasl reports
The draft constitution has been prepared by Russian experts in order to speed up the political process
Opposition media reports on interview between rebel negotiator and German press agency DPA following rumors of rebel representatives accepting inducements from the Assad regime
Key rebel group says it will not back down until former Al-Qaeda affiliate is stopped after fighters launched attacks on groups attending the Astana negotiations earlier this week, opposition media reports
Kremlin claims supersonic bombers destroyed Islamic State command posts and arms caches after taking off from airfields in Russia, SANA reports
Russian senator overseeing committee on foreign affairs voices confidence in truce process as ceasefire gains popularity among armed opposition groups, Syrian government newspaper SANA reports
Syrian government’s head negotiator speaks to the press about the success of the talks in Kazakhstan’s capital, lauding the efforts of allies Russia and Iran in reaching an agreement to form a ceasefire monitor
Government news agency SANA publishes transcript of Syrian president’s interview with Japanese journalist regarding the state of the current ceasefire, this week’s peace talks in Kazakhstan, and what is likely to come from a Trump presidency
Alsouria Net speaks to insider at recent meetings between Turkish representatives and the Syrian armed opposition, in which most major rebel groups — except Ahrar al-Sham — agreed to attend the negotiations with the Assad regime in Astana next week
