Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival The country welcomed 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the figure recorded a year earlier, as the government pushes to reconnect to the world and promote tourism as a pillar of economic recovery. Syria
Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran declares 'existential war' as US strikes reach near Tehran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Kremlin confirms S-400 talks with Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkish governor lays out ISIS threat Celalettin Lekesiz, the governor of Hatay province, is now going public with the threats to Turkey from al-Qaeda and ISIS operations in Turkey and on the Turkey-Syria border. Syria
Egypt's cold realism on Syria Egyptian officials are focusing on their own politics for now, while expecting a protracted conflict in Syria. Egypt
International efforts against Al-Qaeda key to Syria political solution A UN counterterrorism committee can do even more to coordinate a more effective response to al-Qaeda in Syria and eventually a political resolution of the conflict. Syria
The false promise of Mideast elections The coming presidential elections in Egypt, Syria and Turkey offer little hope for a regional trend toward stability and democracy. Palestine
Syrian girls forced to marry ISIS fighters The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham is forcing Syrian girls to marry its foreign fighters. Syria
War-weary Syrians see hope in Homs deal Syrian civilians, routinely shelled by regime forces and rebels, hope the Homs cease-fire is an indication of better times to come. Syria
Syrian government ponders post-election scenarios As the June 3 presidential elections approach in Syria, the government considers how domestic and internal actors will react to the expected re-election of President Bashar Al-Assad. Syria
What can we learn from Homs? Given the collapse of the Geneva process, and the Syrian government’s staying power, localized cease-fires may be the latest trend in the conflict. Iraq
Ankara at crossroads on Syria policy Developments in Syria have confounded the Turkish government’s efforts to depose President Bashar al-Assad and forced a rethink of its policies. Syria
Saudis fear Syria blowback after discovering ISIS cell Fears of jihadist blowback from the Syrian war are starting to be realized after Saudi's discovery of a terrorist cell planning attacks on its soil. Saudi Arabia
McCain calls Homs a ‘huge victory’ for Assad Senator’s comment comes as Syrian opposition leaders seek congressional allies in their bid for more weapons. Syria
Aleppo's rebel fighters disillusioned with war Rebel fighters in Aleppo look to Homs as a potential model for a cease-fire to end the war in the city. Syria
