Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s diverging regional coronavirus strategy

The United Arab Emirates is showing openness to Iran during the coronavirus crisis, which could point to the UAE’s aim to break loose of the policies of its tradition Saudi ally.

Saudi Arabia

US-led coalition ally targets State Department-funded Syrian Arab activists

Syrian civil society activists in the country's largely Kurdish northeast are being arrested and held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, possibly as part of a campaign of intimidation.

Syria

Syrian camps brace for potential COVID-19 outbreak

Doctors are deeply concerned about the devastation likely to occur if the coronavirus spreads into northwest Syria, particularly the camps for the displaced.

Syria

Race for wheat heats up between Damascus, opposition

The Syrian government in Damascus is competing with the opposition government in the northwest to buy wheat, facing increased demand and high prices.

Syria

Turkey pursues Libya campaign despite growing financial woes

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pressing ahead with his military venture in Libya even as the coronavirus pandemic is putting further strain on Ankara’s cash-strapped coffers.

Syria

Amid coronavirus concerns, some US-funded aid work paused in northeast Syria

The United States intends to focus more on stabilizing Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah provinces as it suspends humanitarian operations in northeast Syria due to COVID-19.

Syria

How the pandemic, plummeting oil prices could reshape Middle East

COVID-19 will weaken fragile states, raising risk of failure but creating openings for diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia

Assyrian new year canceled in Syria amid fear of coronavirus outbreak

Syriac and Assyrian authorities suspended New Year festivities and called on people not to gather for celebrations.

Syria

Religious authorities across Syria join fight against the coronavirus

Most religious authorities in Syria called on their constituents to abide by the government’s preventive measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Syria

Syrian students turn to e-learning amid pandemic

The opposition-led government in Syria has activated distance learning for students in the areas under its control to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in schools and universities, though some students aren't able to benefit from the program.

Syria

Intel: What’s next for Russia-Turkey cooperation after Erdogan, Putin call?

On April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss potential cooperation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the next steps in joint efforts in Syria as well as the developments in Libya.

Syria

Families of Americans detained abroad want more US government attention, study finds

An analysis of US hostage policy found that efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained abroad are hampered by unclear policies and confusion.

Lebanon