Will new U.S. sanctions hurt Bashar Assad, the Syrian people, or both?
The U.N. estimates at least 80% of Syrians are already living in poverty, and many fear the new sanctions from Washington will make life even harder.
Syria
Syria sends women with ISIS ties back to U.S.
Two American women and six children with ties to ISIS are being sent back to the U.S. from Syria. They're among thousands of foreigners who have been held in detention camps across the country. CBS News State Department reporter Christina Ruffini joins CBSN to explain the latest developments.
Report: ISIS expanding in Afghanistan
A new Associated Press report says ISIS is recruiting new members to attack the U.S. and the West. Intelligence officials said the militant group is using Kabul, Afghanistan, for "practice runs" for bigger attacks. Associated Press senior correspondent Kathy Gannon joined CBSN to explain what she found in her investigation and how neighboring countries are responding.
Israel unveils "Trump Heights"
A community named after President Trump now sits on a contested frontier with Syria.
Life inside Syria's last rebel stronghold
CBS News has gained rare access inside Syria, which is now in its eighth year of civil war. Syrian forces have begun a new bombing campaign, and there are fears that a full-scale offensive could be next. The province of Idlib, home to three million people, is one of the last remaining areas in western Syria that the government does not control. Holly Williams recently returned from Idlib, where she saw firsthand what life is like for those living in constant fear.
Ancient Mideast treasures looted on Facebook
Ancient relics, antiquities and treasures from the Middle East are being looted and trafficked on Facebook, according to a new report by the ATHAR Project. It found extremist groups and criminal organizations are selling pieces of history like mosaics, statues and historical architecture online. The project's co-directors, Amr Al-Azm and Katie Paul, joined CBSN to explain how they infiltrated the illicit black market and Facebook's role in the trafficking.
U.S. troops remain in Syria
Months after Donald Trump called for U.S. troops to withdraw from Syria, some are still there. David Martin traveled to Syria with the top U.S. military commander for the Middle East and explains what they're doing today.
Syria releases American man held captive
A man from St. Louis is with his parents after being held inside war-torn Syria by the Assad regime. Sam Goodwin's family reunion came after top-secret international negotiations involving Lebanon's military. Don Dahler reports.
American tourist held captive in Syria freed
An American tourist who was held captive in war-ravaged Syria for two-months is finally free. Sam Goodwin, of St. Louis, was released, following secret negotiations involving a member of the Lebanese military. CBS News State Department reporter Christina Ruffini has the latest on the man who had been on a journey across the globe.
ISIS still poses threat in Syria & Afghanistan
In an interview with "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the terror group ISIS is now more powerful in some places than it has been in years. As the U.S. works on negotiating the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, there are new fears that a peace deal with the Taliban could give ISIS an advantage in the region. National security expert and U.S. Army veteran Asha Castleberry joins CBSN with analysis.
Challenges of domestic and foreign terrorism
Authorities across the U.S. are cracking down on a surge in mass shooting threats. Meanwhile, on the international front, ISIS is regaining strength in Syria. CBS News national correspondent Jericka Duncan reports on efforts to stop domestic terrorism, and CBS News senior national security analyst Fran Townsend joins CBSN with more on the U.S. response.
What would victory in Syria look like?
While rebel forces in Syria grapple to hold on to the Idlib region, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad struggles to overtake ISIS for good. New York Times reporter Vivian Yee visited 5 government-held cities to speak with survivors of the 8-year war, and she joins CBSN to discuss the situation on the ground.
Rare look inside Syrian civil war
Holly Williams has an exclusive look at what life is like for more than 3 million people trapped in a Syrian bombing campaign. Idlib is the last remaining stronghold of opposition forces in the civil war that began in 2011. Some people there are calling for the U.S. to help stop the siege by Syria and Russia
Civilians trapped as Syria fights for Idlib
Millions of civilians in Syria are trapped as the regime tightens its grip on the last rebel stronghold. Syrian and Russian troops are bombing Idlib, trying to reclaim the opposition hot-spot. CBS News foreign correspondent Holly Williams got rare access to the war-torn city. She joins CBSN from the Syrian-Turkish border to explain the latest developments.
Jihadist reportedly killed in U.S. missle strike
A U.S missile strike on Saturday reportedly killed at least 40 jihadists. The attack is said to have targeted a meeting of jihadist leaders in the province of Idlib. Holly Williams reports from Idlib.
Smuggler claims to move ISIS members throughout Europe
ISIS remains an active threat, long after it was defeated in Syria. Holly Williams went undercover to expose how human smugglers are helping ISIS fighters infiltrate Europe.
Some Syrian prisoners say they're American
ISIS lost its last territory in Syria in March, but the group remains a terror threat. The reclusive leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, called for his followers to carry out attacks, and demanded the release of ISIS prisoners. President Trump has called on European countries to take their nationals who joined ISIS home from Syria – but in a Syrian prison holding alleged ISIS fighters, CBS News encountered prisoners who said they’re American. Holly Williams reports.
American ISIS fighter in Syrian prison
In northern Syria, prisons are filled with foreign ISIS fighters. In a CBS News exclusive, Holly Williams was given rare access to one of these prisons, and spoke with an an American.
Syrian refugee camp filled with ISIS supporters
Holly Williams went inside a sprawling refugee camp in Syria that is described as a breeding ground for ISIS. A few hundred U.S. allies guard the Al-Hol camp, where the strict laws of ISIS are followed.
U.S. withdrawing troops from northern Syria
In a major U.S. policy shift, American troops are pulling back to make way for Turkey's planned invasion of part of northern Syria. Turkey is targeting U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters that have been key American allies in the fight against ISIS. The abrupt change follows a phone call Sunday night between President Trump and Turkey's president. Holly Williams reports.
Trump withdrawing troops from northern Syria
President Trump has ordered the removal of U.S. troops from northern Syria. The abrupt change paves the way for Turkey to move into the region, putting America's Kurdish allies in jeopardy. CBS News foreign correspondent Holly Williams joins CBSN with the latest.
Trump: "I'm not siding with anybody" on Syria
President Trump defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, leaving America's longtime Kurdish allies vulnerable. A number of Trump-allied Republicans have criticized the decision. Watch the president's remarks.
Pelosi & McConnell disagree with Trump's Syria plan
U.S. troops have begun to pull back from positions in northern Syria. America's Kurdish allies could soon be overrun by Turkish forces. There's also concern that 10,000 ISIS fighters could escape. The House speaker and Senate majority leader rarely agree on anything, but Monday they're both speaking out against President Trump's plan. David Martin reports.
U.S. withdraws troops from northern Syria
American troops are pulling back from positions in Northern Syria under an order from the White House. The move precedes an expected incursion but Kurdish allies believe the U.S. has abandoned them. Mona Yacoubian, who is a senior advisor at the U.S. institute of peace for Syria, Middle East and North Africa, joined CBSN to discuss the impact of the withdrawl.
Republicans slam Trump over Syria withdrawal
President Trump faces rare backlash from his own party for his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria. New video shows more Americans leaving the area near the Turkish border, clearing the way for Turkey to attack Kurdish fighters who were crucial U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. The president’s decision reportedly was a shock to other officials. Many of his Republican supporters call it a betrayal and a mistake, which threatens to upset everything the U.S. was trying to accomplish in the region. Weijia Jiang reports.
live updates
Government shutdown begins as lawmakers fail to reach deal to extend funding
The first government shutdown in nearly seven years began at midnight after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on extending funding.
Trump, Hegseth rally troops at rare meeting, rail against "woke" standards
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth touted the new name, the Department of War, saying "the era of the Department of Defense is over."
Judge finds Trump admin. unconstitutionally targeted pro-Palestinian students
A judge gave a blistering assessment of the Trump administration's efforts to go after international students who expressed pro-Palestinian views on college campuses.
Judge removes Trump-appointed top Nevada prosecutor as "not validly serving"
A judge ruled Tuesday that the top federal prosecutor in Nevada is not serving legally in the role — marking the second time that a judge has partially sidelined one of the Trump administration's prosecutors.
Trump administration to defund federal watchdog council
Two GOP senators are raising questions about the defunding of the Council of Inspectors General.
White House withdraws E.J. Antoni nomination to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics
E. J. Antoni was nominated for the role in August, after President Trump fired former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer.
Why is the government shut down? Here's what's behind the funding lapse
The government shut down Wednesday after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement to extend government funding.
Video shows several houses along Outer Banks collapsing into Atlantic Ocean
The homes, once propped on high stilts, collapsed in the afternoon in Buxton, a community on one of a string of islands that make up the Outer Banks.
Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban, citing "irreconcilable differences"
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been married since 2006 and have two daughters together.