Syria
Local rivalries may destabilise the Syria-Iraq border
With Islamic State in retreat from Deir ez-Zour, rival powers are reaching out to fragmented Sunni tribal confederations
SyriaSyria losses reduce Islamic State's propaganda output
Since IS lost Raqqa, its propaganda has declined, but this may have a negligible impact on its terrorist attacks abroad
InternationalDamascus-dominated dialogue will sideline opposition
Representatives of Syrian rebels are still pushing for an increasingly unlikely negotiated regime change
SyriaRussia plans for partial withdrawal from Syria
The official view is that Russia's air support campaign is nearly over
RussiaUS dismissal of Syria’s Assad underlines irrelevance
As the war ends, all agree there should be constitutional changes and new elections -- but not who should oversee them
SyriaRiyadh will struggle to boost regional influence
The resumption of direct flights to Iraq and an unusual ministerial visit to Syria suggest renewed hegemonic aspirations
Saudi ArabiaIsrael may struggle to deter attacks from Syria
On the eve of a Russian military visit, Israel launches unusually public retaliation against Damascus's air defences
IsraelUS-backed Syrian Kurdish forces may hedge their bets
Islamic State has finally been expelled from Raqqa, an early and deeply symbolic stronghold
Syria
