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
Turkey-Iran Talks Can Begin To Defuse Syrian Tragedy Discussions between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran reflect a serious departure from the polarization; especially on Syria & between the two regional powers. Lebanon
Lebanon: Between Tripoli and Balochistan Northern Lebanon is paying the price for the rise of radicalism in the region. Lebanon
Israel Weighs Its Options This week's regional conflicts include sluggish negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, another mysterious strike in Syria and Ayatollah Khamenei's "disappearance." Palestine
'Next Generation' Seeks WMD-Free Zone in Middle East A network of young strategists from across the region sees new opportunities for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.-- Syria
Five Reasons US Should Change Policies Toward Syria’s Kurds The United States may have been placating Turkey by denying a visa to Salih Muslim, head of Syria's Democratic Union Party. Syria
Syrian Artists Remain Creative On Margins of War Syrian artists in the mainly Kurdish northeast are indulging in their newfound freedom to explore their art without regime restrictions. Syria
Syrian Refugees Now Equal One-Third Of Lebanon’s Population US leads with assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon but budget battles and a lack of sufficient support from wealthy Arab states threaten to exacerbate Lebanon’s “existential” crisis. Syria
EU Official Says Iran 'Undoubtedly' Has New Approach to Nuclear Talks In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Pierre Vimont, deputy to High Representative Catherine Ashton, says it's “still rather difficult to conclude that they have presented a new policy.” Egypt
Brahimi Talks Syria in Iran Lakhdar Brahimi, UN-Arab League joint representative, tries to enlist Iranian help in the Geneva II conference on Syria. Syria
Turkey, Iraq Work to Renew Ties Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari’s visit to Ankara last week suggests Turkey is trying to adjust its approach to its neighbors. Iraq
Kurdish Rebels Ban Child Soldiers The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has signed on to the Geneva Call’s initiative after three years of negotiation. Syria
Syria’s Race Against Time UN-Arab League Joint Representative Lakhdar Brahimi presses for Geneva II, while Saudi women are on the road again. Saudi Arabia
