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
Newsletter: Business & Tech Oil rises amid renewed US-Iran fighting By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Qatar foreign minister believes abducted bishops still alive Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah said that he has obtained information that two bishops kidnapped in Syria last year are still alive. Qatar
Regime, rebels continue clashes in Zabadani Rebel fighters attacked several Syrian army checkpoints around the town of Zabadani, but it has so far failed to produce safe passageways for civilians and rebel fighters. Syria
Is Turkey the weakest link in anti-IS coalition? Held back by political weaknesses and ideological constraints, Ankara is likely to be the weakest and most reluctant member of the planned coalition against the Islamic State. Iraq
Could Arqoub be the next Arsal? The large number of displaced Syrians in the Arqoub area has raised concerns about the potential for instability in southern Lebanon instigated by jihadists living among the refugees. Israel
Turkey faces dilemma in fight against Islamic State Turkey is not keen to have the Kurds, Shiites and the Damascus regime be bolstered in the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
IS beheading of Shiite soldier threatens Lebanon's stability The latest killing by the Islamic State raises worries that Shiite families and clans might retaliate against the Syrian refugee camps in the Bekaa, where many IS supporters are suspected to be present. Lebanon
Islamic State becoming ‘dominant voice’ among global jihadists The United States intensifies military planning against the Islamic State; Syria’s new Cabinet; Israel faces "highly complex reality" in Syria; IS-linked group threatens more terror, beheadings in the Sinai Peninsula; what Egypt lost in the Al Jazeera trial. Egypt
Hezbollah prepares to fight IS in Lebanon The Islamic State and other extremists groups are proliferating along Lebanon's border with Syria. Lebanon
Europe blind to Islamic State's true threat With the Islamic State drawing recruits from across Europe, the continent must act against the movement in Syria and Iraq before it's too late. Near East
Regime tries to root out rebels surrounding Syrian capital Syrian government forces began an offensive last week on the major rebel stronghold of Jobar, the closest rebel-held area to Damascus. Syria
Syria, West explore cooperation to fight Islamic State Western intelligence officials have reportedly reached out to the Syrian government on potential cooperation over the Islamic State threat, but so far little progress has been made. Syria
What's different in Damascus? Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made changes in the economic and services ministries of the new government in a bid to overcome economic challenges and gather support by addressing charges of corruption. Lebanon
