Syria Conflict

Representatives exit the US Capitol, Washington, DC, Dec. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Syrians relieved as Caesar sanctions lifted, but recovery may take time

For the first time in years, Syrians can realistically imagine an economy that functions — one that can import without fear, contract without workarounds and rebuild with real capital.

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

A picture taken on March 2, 2017, shows a sign displaying the routes to Palmyra-Deir Ezzor and Damascus-Iraq as Syrian regime fighters advance to retake the ancient city of Palmyra, from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus

The Islamic State attack that killed US personnel has deepened uncertainty over Washington’s Syria policy, pushing Ankara to accelerate efforts to integrate the SDF into the Syrian military.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, permanent representative of Iran to the UN, gives a statement after a UN Security Council meeting on June 13, 2025, in New York City.

Analysis

Iran warns of Israeli plots in Syria amid its own anxieties over lost leverage

Beneath Iran's warning at the United Nations lies a deeper strategic concern, as its long-standing influence is under unprecedented strain in the post-Assad landscape.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

A destroyed Syrian army battle tank lies abandoned near the ancient ruins of Palmyra in central Syria on Feb. 7, 2025.

US bombs ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for Palmyra insider attack

The Islamic State has not claimed direct credit for the ambush by a member of Syria's domestic security forces that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last week.

Latest News

Senate vote paves way for Trump to repeal Syria’s Caesar sanctions

People shop in a market on June 17, 2025 in Damascus, Syria.

Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know

The Internal Security Directorate in the Zabadani area of rural Damascus thwarted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and seized large quantities of RPG shells that were hidden in an organized manner and prepared for smuggling towards Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Will deadly Palmyra attack accelerate SDF's integration into Syrian forces?

Armed personnel of SDF and public security forces of the new Syrian government stand guard in al-Ramun district of Aleppo, Syria, on April 3, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Assad Putin

Why has the Kremlin upped its protocol for Syria's Assad in Russia?

Public ceremonies for the Syrian leader, in contrast to his previous secret meetings, suggest that Assad is in a stronger position to negotiate with Moscow.

VLADIMIR GERDO/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey-Syria summit postponed at last minute as Russia nudges rivals to reconcile

The two countries' deputy foreign ministers plus those of Russia and Iran had been due to meet to discuss further rapprochement efforts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 15, 2023.

Syria, Russia to sign 40 investment deals after Assad’s visit

Syrian President Assad also said in an interview with Sputnik that he would not meet with Turkish President Erdogan until Turkey removes its troops from Syria.

Amphetamine

Saudi Arabia seizes 4.6 million amphetamine pills in bathroom shipment

A Jordanian national was apprehended in Jeddah while receiving the amphetamine shipment hidden in ceramic toilets, sinks and washbasins.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hold a meeting in Damascus on January 7, 2020. - Putin met his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad during an unprecedented visit to Damascus as the prospect of war between Iran and the United States loomed over the region. (Photo by Alexey DRUZHININ / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXEY DRUZHININ/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria’s Assad arrives in Russia for talks with Putin

Assad’s visit comes ahead of a meeting between Syrian and Turkish diplomats in Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) speak after a news conference in Ankara, on June 8, 2022. -

Russia to host Turkey, Syria, Iran diplomats on Wednesday

Senior Turkish, Syrian, Iranian and Russian diplomats are set to meet to advance the stalled rapprochement between Ankara and Damascus.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) meets with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Moscow on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi FM in Russia after Ukraine visit, talks mediation and energy ties

The Saudi Foreign Minister and his Russian counterpart discussed a range of topics including the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral trade, oil market stability and the role of Syria during the Moscow meeting of senior officials on Thursday.

A woman dressed in traditional clothing poses for a picture while standing on a rock in the Mazqaft water reservoir in the countryside of the town of Qahtaniyah in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province close to the border with Turkey, during Syrian Kurdish celebrations on the second day of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on March 21, 2021. (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

A decade into Kurdish autonomous rule, what changed for northeast Syria's women?

Since 2013, the province of Hasakah in northeastern Syria has been ruled by an autonomous administration guided by overtly feminist principles. Ten years later, what has changed for rural women? What challenges remain?

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Syria, Iran to hold 'technical talks' in Russia next week

The technical meeting is aimed at achieving progress in the stalled high-level dialogue process between Ankara and Damascus.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian pose.

Iran's top diplomat to visit Turkey in post-disaster diplomacy

The top Iranian and Turkish diplomats are also expected to discuss the Syrian, Nagorno-Karabakh and bilateral files during their meeting.

Ali Shamkhani (R), Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, meets with Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nahyan (L).

Iran says it signed 'aviation cooperation' memo with UAE

The UAE and Iran have cordial economic and political relations, despite being on opposite sides of some regional rivalries.

AFP via Getty Images

Syria's Aleppo airport out of service after Israel's airstrike

Israel is suspected of carrying out several attacks on Syria this year as the Netanyahu government continues military planning related to Iran.