Hezbollah-run media warns of an end to ‘self-restraint’ after U.S. forces targeted Iranian-backed militias, while questions remain as to whether Russia approved the statement
Washington aims to limit Tehran’s political weight and break the line of Iranian influence by engaging in deal-making with Russia, Ibrahim Hamidi writes for Saudi-owned newspaper
President Assad’s political and media adviser writes in loyalist Al-Watan that recent U.S. military action in Syria is part of a century-old plan to fracture the unity of the Arab world
Increased tensions erupt on Iraq-Syria-Jordan triangle as the U.S. and Iran vie for control of the strategic border area, opposition website writes
Russian experts claim Moscow must decide whether to cut and run or double down, as attack may be another indication of a shift in American policy toward Syria
Turkish FM expressed Ankara wishes for the removal of anti-ISIS envoy Brett McGurk due to his support for Kurdish militias, Anadolu news agency reports
Naim Ibrahim questions the reason behind Qatar’s funding of fighters in Syria and its calls for the departure of Assad, asking: would Doha give up power if the shoe was on the other foot?
Russian FM tells U.S. president that America could play key role in preserving security inside proposed safe zones, Syrian government media reports
Abdulnasser Al-Ayed explains that for Russia’s ‘safe zone’ proposal to work, Moscow will need to consider U.S. concerns despite attempts to sideline Washington in the Syrian peace process
Saudi-owned Al-Hayat reports rebel delegation approves plan but chooses to walk out of negotiations in protest at Assad regime’s continued bombardment of opposition areas
Media adviser to Turkey’s president threatens to hit Americans patrolling the southern border days after U.S. forces arrived in the Kurdish region of northern Syria, Qatari-owned Al-Arabi Al-Jadid reports
Moscow hails phone call between leaders as constructive and ‘business-like,’ with the Russian president also urging caution on U.S. policy toward North Korea, Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports
Russia’s head of arms control claims new ‘chemical theater’ could take place in the Damascus countryside, Saudi-owned Al-Hayat reports, weeks after Putin pointed to the possibility of ‘fake’ gas attacks to justify further U.S. strikes on the Syrian regime
Opposition members and activists decry the forced relocation of thousands of civilians from the “four Syrian towns” as part of a negotiation deal to release kidnapped Qatari businessmen, Paula Istih writes for Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat
Donald Trump’s decision to strike the Shayrat base earlier this month was less about changing the balance of power in Syria, but instead represented a nod to his domestic rivals showing his willingness to act as a strong and decisive leader, Abdel Moneim Ali Eissa writes for loyalist outlet Al-Watan
Trump had to send a message to all parties supporting Assad that he won’t just resort to Syrian talks but will be part of the joint offensives in Syria, Tariq Alhomayed writes
Opposition outlet Zaman al-Wasl reports that Kurdish forces are targeting Arab residents of Syria’s northern region in campaigns of discrimination and forced displacement, amid rapid advances by the Western-backed forces against ISIS positions in the area
Al-Hayat columnist Ibrahim Hamidi highlights four observations in the aftermath of the first American strike on Syrian army positions, explaining that the coming days will show which of two tracks will be taken by Russian and the U.S. in response — military escalation between the two superpowers, or a renewed interest in a military-political agreement
Vladimir Putin is a game-maker and a surprise-organizer. His counterpart in the Oval Office wants to be too
President Bashar al-Assad gave an interview to Croatian newspaper Vecernji List published Thursday, in which he reflects on six years of conflict, the negotiation process and the fight against terrorism. The following is the full text as published by government news agency SANA
