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
Chatah's assassination marks rise of extremism In Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, the forces of moderation are being displaced by the forces of extremism. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese Shiite cleric calls for building inclusive state In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Shiite cleric Hani Fahs said that the region must work toward peace, and citizens should work to build inclusive states. Iraq
Syrian Kurds agree to disagree Despite agreeing to speak with a single Kurdish voice at Geneva II, Syria's Kurds are far from united on how to administer the Kurdish areas in the future. Syria
Southern suburbs stand apart in Beirut Al-Monitor tours Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of Hezbollah, to learn more about life there and residents’ views on Hezbollah’s Syria policy. Lebanon
Aleppo's bloodiest week An exclusive report from Aleppo, which is facing the worst bombing of Syria's war. Syria
An appeal to Lakhdar Brahimi A cease-fire and the immediate holding of Geneva II must be at the top of Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi and the UN's agenda. Lebanon
Iran, Saudi Arabia key to Syria peace conference The Islamic Front snubs US Ambassador Robert Ford; Turkey rocked by scandal; reactions to the American Studies Association vote to boycott academic exchanges with Israel. Saudi Arabia
New Syrian Kurdish media find their voices Syrian Kurds have their own newspapers and radio stations, but are beset by familiar political challenges. Iraq
Can Turkey’s Kurds, military ever reconcile? A court case in Diyarbakir provides hope for the first time for reconciliation between the Turkish military and Kurdish citizens. Iraq
Iraqi weapons market surges during Syria conflict The illegal weapons trade in Iraq has seen a spike in activity as armed sectarian militias grow more numerous and weapons are smuggled into Syria. Iraq
Syrian and Iraqi Kurds more divided over Syria The Syria war is proving to be a divisive, rather than unifying, force among the Kurds of Iraq and Syria. Iraq
Terrorism continues to shake Lebanon’s security The Salafist jihadist current has been on the rise in Lebanon as a result of the Syrian conflict. Lebanon
