Also in this newsletter: Poland seizes the moment to push for EU defence spending
Refugees in Germany and elsewhere are in ‘wait and see’ mode after fall of Assad regime
Over 4,000 flown home in the face of rebel victory and overthrow of ally Bashar al-Assad
Kingdom’s unopposed bid for sporting event ratified by football’s governing body on Wednesday
Fast-moving events leave Washington fearful of Isis resurgence and divided over troop deployment
Masoud Pezeshkian and his supporters say measures will be tough to enforce as hardline parliament pushes for approval
Transitional authorities grapple with bureaucracy filled with phantom jobs, pervasive graft and culture of obedience
New chief says QIA will deploy cash ‘more aggressively’ as it conducts investment review ahead of huge influx
Israeli forces have seized territory and reportedly struck hundreds of military targets once controlled by Assad regime
Israeli prime minister takes to the stand to fight graft allegations that he has dismissed as a dangerous distraction
An archaeological discovery in Syria may force a revision of the alphabet’s origin story
Satellite imagery shows no signs of withdrawal from air and naval facilities
Allies of the ruling family have fled while coastal areas from which the regime drew support are celebrating its downfall
The end of the US-led order is giving way to a kind of chaos that chimes with the president-elect’s preferences
Israeli PM accuses legal authorities of pursuing a witch-hunt against him
Also in this newsletter: How Rachel Reeves’ pitch to Brussels went down
A selection of some of the best titles shedding light on the conflict and its place in the wider power struggles across the Middle East
Helping Damascus stretched Tehran’s capabilities, while Russia exploited perceived western weakness
HTS issues amnesty for conscripted military but Israel grabs territory on border
Fall of Assad regime prompts immigration rethink in Europe
On the outskirts of Damascus, Saydnaya holds the secrets to the fate of thousands who disappeared under the dictator
Netanyahu has justified the incursion as a temporary move to protect Israeli citizens
Geir Pedersen warns there is ‘no way to exclude’ Islamist group that led offensive against Assad regime
Lots could still go wrong but the demise of one of the world’s most cruel dictators is welcome
