Syria’s Sharaa talks economic ties with UAE leader: What to know The UAE is moving to boost trade and investment ties with Syria amid the conflicts in the region and following initial caution in its dealings with Damascus. Syria
Fuel price protests in Syria continue for second day: What to know The Syrian government hiked fuel prices by more than 28%, prompting massive protests across at least eight provinces. Syria
UN watchdog formally ends probe into Assad-era nuclear sites The vote follows last month's visit by international inspectors to two suspected former nuclear sites in Syria. Syria
Syria destroys 42 bombs in chemical stockpile purge: What to know The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has resumed its inspections in Syria and confirmed that at least 42 aerial bombs have been destroyed by Syrian authorities in the first such efforts since 2014. Syria
Analysis Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Syrian girls play soccer among ghosts of Islamic State Raqqa's first-ever girls' soccer team is blooming where Islamic State once terrorized the society. Syria
Intra-Kurdish tensions paralyze northeast Syria’s main border crossing Northeast Syria’s only external border crossing closed abruptly May 17 for an unknown period, disrupting trade, medical corridors and humanitarian access to the area. Syria
Qatar emir skips Assad's Arab League speech in Saudi Arabia The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt publicly praised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s participation in the summit after Syria was readmitted to the Arab League. Legacy: Gulf
LISTEN: Syrian Kurdish leader says Assad's return to Arab League welcome, but won't amount to much Co-chairman of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Salih Muslim speaks to Amberin Zaman for "On the Middle East" podcast about the latest efforts to re-integrate Damascus into the Arab fold and what that means for Syria's Kurds. Syria
Syria's Assad lands in Saudi Arabia seeking financial incentives at Arab summit Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, said the Jeddah summit will likely end with “nice promises” in front of the cameras but a different outcome in reality as normalization with Assad, overriding sanctions and the return of refugees face mounting hurdles. Saudi Arabia
US lawmakers unveil bill targeting normalization of Syria’s Assad The legislation would expand the list of sanctionable targets under the Caesar Act and require an interagency report on the administration's counter-normalization strategy. Syria
Saudi Arabia seizes 8 million Captagon pills as it courts Syria's Assad to clamp down The kingdom and Jordan both want Syria to help stop the flourishing drug trade as they seek normalization with the Assad government. Saudi Arabia
First Turkey-Syria FM meeting in Russia agrees to work on refugees, terrorism Ankara, for its part, stressed the need for cooperation on the return of Syrian refugees, the top Turkish diplomat said ahead of Turkey's crucial elections. Turkey
Islamic State claims Damascus car bomb as Assad invited to Saudi The Syrian President's formal invite to the upcoming Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia marks a shift in Riyadh's relations with Damascus. Syria
Iran FM in Russia to talk Syria-Turkey reconciliation while vowing to boost Assad's military Prior to the Moscow meeting, Tehran pledged readiness to equip Syria with the latest Iran-made weaponry, the shipment of which has been eased by the 2020 expiry of a UN arms embargo on the Islamic Republic. Iran
After Arab League vote, US 'skeptical' Syria’s Assad will make concessions The Syrian government has yet to grant any major concession in exchange for its regional reintegration. Syria
Analysis Turkey Elections: A Kilicdaroglu election win could overhaul Syria policy The opposition leader is seen as someone who would have more clout at the negotiating table with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, especially on migration and security issues in northern Syria. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
