Syria
Damascus will target the edges of Idlib buffer zone
The UN Security Council will today discuss an ongoing government offensive into a nominal ‘de-escalation zone’ in Idlib
SyriaEscalation in Syria’s Idlib may pressure foreign talks
Russian and Syrian forces have stepped up shelling of Idlib as others meet in Geneva to discuss a transition
SyriaSyria-Russia port deal may concern Beirut and Beijing
Syria says it plans to lease the country’s largest port to a Russian firm that will substantially increase its capacity
RussiaSyria will hope for transition breakthrough at talks
Another round of talks on Syria sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran is taking place in the Kazakh capital
SyriaSyria trip is intended to boost status of Iran’s Zarif
The Iranian foreign minister is in Damascus, where he met Assad after being excluded from a February meeting in Tehran
IranIS will use Middle East attacks to maintain profile
IS has claimed a series of attacks across the Middle East, which it says are revenge for territorial losses in Syria
Middle EastInternal EU divisions will emerge over Syria stance
The EU has no diplomatic leverage in Syria but maintains that restoring economic ties depends on a credible transition
EUIran-Russia rivalry for Syrian economic sway may grow
Iran has been cultivating commercial networks in Syria and harbours plans for regional trade integration
Iran
