After the fall of the Assad regime and in the run-up to elections, Germany is once again debating the status of nearly 1 million Syrians in the country. The post Ahead of Germany's Elections, Syrian Refugees Are Back in the Spotlight appeared first on World Politics Review.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told The Associated Press that the U.S. needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from reconstituting as a major threat

Berlin on Monday advocated a pragmatic approach to Syria's transitional government after the new leader in Damascus declined to shake the hand of visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Western nations have been cautious in their approach to Syria’s Islamist leaders, but are now debating whether to remove the group’s terrorist designation.

DAMASCUS — The foreign ministers of France and Germany are headed to Damascus on the first official visit to Syria by top diplomats from European Union countries after the fall of former President Bashar Assad, in what the German minister said is a clear signal that a “new beginning” between Europe and Syria is possible.

All Syrian groups, including women and Kurds, must be involved in the country's transition if Damascus wants European support, Germany's foreign minister said after a closely-watched first meeting with the new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday.

Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Germany Andrii Sybiha and Annalena Bearbock discussed the results of their visits to Syria and coordinated steps to further support the Syrian people. — Ukrinform.

The visit by European ministers symbolizes a significant shift in international diplomacy following years of strained relations between Europe and Syria.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed Thursday in talks in Rome with European counterparts on the need to encourage stability in Syria, officials said, as Turkey threatens Kurdish forces in the war-torn country.

U.S forces are still needed in Syria to prevent ISIS from reconstituting as a major threat following Assad's ouster, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

The prisons are open, the secret files are unlocked. Now Syrians are trying to figure out how to hold war criminals accountable.