Bashar al-Assad
Convince Syrian ally to hold elections: UN to Russia
Russia intervened in Syria's devastating conflict in 2015, providing aerial and ground support for government forces.
Syria: 53 civilians, including 21 children killed in Russian air strikes
The monitor had initially given a death toll of 34 civilians but the number spiked after more bodies were recovered.
Iran replies to pressure from Europe with threats of increasing missile range
Iran has repeatedly said its missile programme is defensive and not negotiable.
ISIS ‘caliphate’ wanes away as Syrian forces take over last Iraqi town
Local Sunni tribal fighters took up arms and sided with the mainly Shiite government forces to finally take down ISIS.
Russia vetoes extension of Syria gas attacks probe
Both the Syrian government and militants of the Islamic State are being blamed for using chemical weapons.
Saudis & Iran hold the key as Mideast sizzles
Saad Hariri is a close Saudi ally and under Lebanon’s peculiar system the President must be a Shia while the Prime Minister is a Sunni.
Belgian Laurent Van der Stockt wins international photojournalism honou
He won the Visa d'Or for News, the most prestigious award handed out at the "Visa Pour L'Image" festival.
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu blasts UN over Iran
Israeli PM says Tehran manufacturing missiles as Guterres arrives.
In Mideast, chasing an elusive peace
Syria is in its seventh year of civil war, with protagonists on various sides near exhaustion.
Lebanese army to begin offensive against ISIS close to Syrian border
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said that ISIS holds around 296 square kilometres (115 square miles) on both sides of the border.