Syria

Preparations for a tightly controlled presidential election are well underway

Concerns over security failures at the notorious Al-Hol camp are rising, but no government takes responsibility

Damascus can no longer afford to leave the autonomous administration alone

Tehran sources are claiming improbable revenge assaults on Israel’s nuclear facility and an arms factory

Economic deterioration has forced out the central bank governor, while military redeployments highlight insecurity

Moscow is using calibrated military firepower and complex diplomacy to persuade Syria's neighbours to back its solutions

Various sides in conflict-torn northern Syria have suffered from an upsurge in air strikes

The government offers a sop to public-sector workers and soldiers as it hikes fuel prices