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Syria

July 6, 2026

Damascus 7:07 am

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Farmers roast harvested wheat using fire in a field on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, on May 18, 2026.

Analysis

How Syria’s wheat fields turned into first battleground over reconstruction

A battle over wheat prices could be the first political contest over who reconstruction will benefit.

Haddon Barth

By Haddon Barth

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Volunteers of the Druze-led National Guard manage traffic at a checkpoint, Suwayda, Syria, Jan. 22, 2026.

Clashes between Druze fighters, Syrian forces raise fears of renewed violence

The episodes in Druze-majority Suwayda escalated amid kidnappings, various disputes, and absent movement on integrating Druze into state institutions.

Oil drilling near Dakhiliyah in the desert region of Hasakah, Syria, Jan. 25, 2026.

Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership

The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Latest News

Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks

Nawaf Salam and Asaad al-Shibani shake hands in Beirut on July 2, 2026.

At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion: What to know

Syrian security forces and people gather at the site of an explosion at a cafe in the capital, Damascus, on July 2, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Supporters of Lebanon's Shiite movement Hezbollah gather near a giant poster of their leader Hassan Nasrallah during a ceremony to mark Ashura on September 20, 2018 in Beirut. - Ashura commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Muslim faith's prophet Mohammed, who was killed by the armies of his rival Yazid over the succession for the caliphate near Karbala in 680 AD. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANWAR AMRO/AFP/Getty Images)

Nasrallah seeks to capitalize on US shift on Golan

The Trump administration's recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights has given the advantage in Lebanon to Hezbollah, whose opposition to the move puts it in line with public opinion.

New bollard-style U.S.-Mexico border fencing is seen next to vehicle barriers in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, U.S., March 5, 2019. Picture taken March 5, 2019. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC16D209A700

Border wall fight could jeopardize funding for US bases in the Middle East

The fight over funding for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall could impact key US bases in the Middle East.

United Arab Emirates

Four-legged victims of war find peace in Jordan

Forty animals from Rafah Zoo in the Gaza Strip, considered the worst zoo in the world, will join at the end of the month other rescue animals at Jordan's wildlife center aptly called New Hope.

A Turkish military vehicle drives at Manbij countryside, Syria December 29, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC11D6A7B320

Turkey relying on events to turn tide against Kurdish YPG

A Turkish military operation in northern Syria does not appear to be in the cards, but Ankara is determined to use the threat of one to curb Kurdish aspirations.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) walks after Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence of collusion between U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia in the 2016 election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RC12779FD760

House Democrats skeptical of Trump’s Golan Heights shake up

Republicans want to codify President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights into law, but even the staunchest pro-Israel Democrats have reservations.

A Turkish army howitzer fires from a military post on the Turkish-Syrian border in Hatay province, Turkey February 26, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1DA3686FA0

Syrian Kurds remain wary of US plan for Turkish safe zone

While the United States is pushing for a safe zone along the Turkish border in Syria to protect both sides, analysts warn that meeting their conflicting needs may prove impossible.

U.S. President Donald Trump embraces Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a ceremony to sign a proclamation recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1ADDE53E00

New heights of irresponsibility over the Golan

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not care that recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could destroy all chances for peace between Israel and the Arab world.

American soldiers stand near military trucks, at al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC168E86AEF0

Pentagon sustains budget for arming local anti-IS forces amid US pullout

The Donald Trump administration's envoy for Syria issues said the United States is keeping “very limited” numbers of troops in the country as the Pentagon continues to build up the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

A soldier stands guard near a poster of Syria's President Bashar al Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during the re-opening of the road between Homs and Hama in Rastan, Syria, June 6, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC153557C500

Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments

Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy.

Trump's Golan Heights decision deepens rift with Turkey

The list of disagreements between the United States and Turkey is growing with Washington's decision to recognize the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a proclamation recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights as he is applauded by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others during a ceremony to in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC13B9E76220

Russia weighs in on Trump’s Golan Heights decision

The US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights makes Moscow consider its own balance sheet on the issue.

A general view of the city of Afrin, Syria March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1EB1FC27E0

Kurds in Afrin celebrate Nowruz despite ban

Kurds in Syria’s northern city of Afrin, joined by internally displaced people, celebrated Nowruz despite a ban imposed by armed opposition factions.