Syria

Syria has decided to cut ties with Fatah al-Islam, a murky Islamist militant group operating in Lebanon, according to Stratfor sources. [more]

Iraq’s neighbors are going to have to start adjusting to a new reality in which U.S. forces will be departing Iraq in three years. [more]

The United States has angered Damascus by mounting a sortie across the Iraqi-Syrian border, killing at least half a dozen Syrians in the process. The leader of Israel’s ruling party dropped efforts to form a government and called for an early general election. Iraq’s foreign minister canceled a booked visit to Australia, citing a crisis in the talks over US troops, and Pakistan surprised those who’d suggested it was soft on the Taliban by recapturing a key strategic town. This series of events have confused diplomats and policymakers. [more]

A raid by U.S. troops five miles inside Syrian territory is one of several incidents in the Middle East raising the level of uncertainty in the region. [more]

Major Arab powers are reaching out to select Hezbollah figures to exacerbate rifts in the Shiite movement, constrain Syria and undermine Iranian influence in the region. [more]

The following is an internal Stratfor document produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. This document is not a forecast, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

Syria's agenda for Lebanon may have Turkish and Israeli backing. [more]

Syria reportedly has increased the number of its troops on the Lebanese border. [more]

A car bomb exploded in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sept. 27, killing 17 people and wounding 14 others. [more]

Syria moved troops to the northern Syrian-Lebanese border, making militant Lebanese movement Hezbollah very concerned. [more]

A troop buildup could be a sign that Syria is moving to reassert physical control over Lebanon. [more]

The following is an internal Stratfor document produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. This document is not a forecast, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

With an Israeli party election on the horizon and Syrian peace talks on hold, will a newly ambitious Russia find a strategic opening in the Middle East? [more]

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reportedly canceled a trip to Moscow slated for Sept. 14. While reports indicate that the cancellation stems from his ongoing legal troubles, the move may point toward a larger policy shift by Israel toward Russia. [more]

Syria is giving the impression that it received assurances from Russia after the Russo-Georgian war and that talks with Israel are going nowhere. [more]

The recent conflict in Georgia has put Israel in the middle of the present U.S.-Russian tensions. [more]

The following are internal Stratfor documents produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. These documents are not forecasts, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]

A look at breaking events of the day in light of the emerging U.S.-Russian geopolitical dynamic. [more]

Syria and Russia are looking to strengthen their ties -- which would give each country more influence. [more]

The following is an internal Stratfor document produced to provide high-level guidance to our analysts. This document is not a forecast, but rather a series of guidelines for understanding and evaluating events, as well as suggestions on areas for focus. [more]