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
New US Syria policy should engage Iran As the talks on a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran commence this week in Vienna, there is also an opening to engage Iran on Syria and terrorism. Syria
Saudi Arabia plans to pitch Obama for regime change in Syria Saudi Arabia has recently taken steps to discourage its nationals from joining jihadist forces in Syria, as it plans an appeal to US President Barack Obama to become more engaged in Saudi-backed efforts to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Saudi Arabia
Iran calls for end to foreign support for extremist groups in Syria An Iranian diplomat also notes his country’s active support for chemical disarmament and humanitarian relief corridors in Syria. Syria
Is Erdogan hindering Turkey's foreign policy reset? Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to be undercutting the efforts of his foreign minister to get Turkey’s Middle East policies back on track. Egypt
Syrian Kurds recruit regime loyalists to fight jihadists The Democratic Union Party (PYD) has reportedly established Arab brigades made up of regime loyalists. Syria
Lebanon government talks stall again Developments at the Geneva II conference and in the Western-Iranian nuclear talks may have stalled Lebanon’s government formation Lebanon
ISIS, al-Qaeda compete for supremacy in global jihad The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has emerged as a major challenger to al-Qaeda as the leading brand in the global militant jihad movement. Syria
Israeli security chiefs modify assessment on Syrian war The Israel Defense Forces estimate that the Syrian war may last a decade, ending with Syria being divided into several cantons, with jihadist forces on the Israeli border and Hezbollah gaining in military experience. Israel
Syria sends diplomats to Geneva, fighters to Yabrud The fighting may intensify around Yabrud as the second round of negotiations in Geneva commence. Syria
Have bombings united the Lebanese Shiites behind Hezbollah? Although many suspect the recent bombings in Lebanon are aimed at breaking Shiite support for Hezbollah, they may be having the opposite effect. Lebanon
Neutrality, reform needed to rescue Lebanon’s economy Lebanon’s economy is collapsing and the only thing that can save it is a new government that keeps Lebanon neutral in the Syrian war and implements economic and administrative reforms. Lebanon
Russia's Syria policy gains traction As Russia maintains a steady course on Syria, Moscow's influence on Damascus may be less than some believe. Syria
