Latest from Syria

Kathy Marks: Populist instincts drive PM's Isis policy

Like other Western nations, Australia has been grappling with the challenge of how to deal with radicalised Muslims who travel to Iraq or Syria to fight with Isis, writes Kathy Marks.

Syrian barrel bombs kill 71

The Syrian Air Force dropped barrel bombs on a market and another civilian area of Aleppo province, killing 71 people.

Paul Thomas: Caught in crossfire of Isis battle that's not ours

The news that Islamic State (Isis) fighters have advanced to within 100km of Camp Taji where New Zealand's 143 military advisers are based wasn't the only bulletin from the war zone.

Australian Isis kids face long road home

Five Sydney children trying to return from Syria have every chance of being reintegrated into Australian society, an expert says.

Key rejects hard line on Kiwi jihadis

Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand could not follow suit if Australia moves to strip a New Zealand-Australian woman of citizenship to prevent her returning from Syria.

US attacks Iraq's lack of 'will'

US Defence Secretary Carter warned that Iraqi troops would not be able to defeat Isis until they developed a "will to fight", reflecting surprise after the collapse in Ramadi.

Isis claims group could buy nuclear weapon

Isis has used its propaganda magazine Dabiq to suggest the group is expanding so rapidly it could buy its first nuclear weapon within a year.

Key Isis leader killed in raid

America claimed a significant blow against Isis when Delta Force commandos launched a rare night-time strike inside eastern Syria, killing a commander.

Assad forces accused of gas attacks

The Syrian Government has been accused of again using chemical weapons against civilians as fighting intensifies with fresh rebel attacks in the north of the country.

Labor man held after Mideast trip

Jail for Syrians who wear skinny jeans

Islamic State militants in the northern Syrian province of Raqqa have threatened to jail any young man wearing skinny jeans, smoking or with music on his mobile phone.

Thanks to our generous readers

Campaign to raise money for the forgotten victims of the Syrian crisis raises four times what was hoped for.

David Shearer: NZ can be catalyst for change in Syria

A few years ago Damascus was a place of calm in a violent region.

This image sums it up

It is an image that challenges me emotionally every time I look at it, and the more I look, the more it challenges me.

Editorial: Modest refugee intake should be much higher

Previous experience has been positive and benefits would outweigh the costs.

Films give refugees a voice

Ralph Baydoun is a 23-year-old Lebanese videographer based in World Vision's Beirut office and last month we travelled together to some of the more challenging areas of the Middle East - the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and the Lebanon-Syrian border.