Syria - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Palmyra

Syria

May 18, 2026

Damascus 2:16 pm

28°C

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to attend the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati (United Arab Emirates) Investment Forum, at the People's Palace in Damascus on May 12, 2026. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

UAE-Syrian ties have moved faster than expected, with Abu Dhabi embracing President Ahmad al-Sharaa and relations shifting from normalization to investment opportunities.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Interview

UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

The launch comes as Syria’s new government attempts to stabilize the country’s shattered economy following the January 2025 rise to power of President Ahmed al-Sharaa after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

The SDF commander-in-chief reflected on a fragile integration deal with Damascus, growing Kurdish backlash and ongoing talks with Turkey as questions mount over Rojava’s political future.

Mazloum Kobane

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Khaled Hablas

Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know

Hablas was imprisoned for his role in the deadly 2014 clashes with the military and Hezbollah and his release follows Syria lobbying for the return of militants detained in Lebanon.

Latest News

Syria restores Raqqa oil field in former ISIS stronghold: What to know

Pictured in this undated image is the Al-Thawra oil field in Raqqa governorate, as rehabilitation works continue to restore production capacity.

Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria

Turkish Red Crescent's cars and trucks cross the Turkish border as they leave the Syrian city of Tel Abyad on Oct. 19, 2019, in Akcakale, Turkey.

EU restores economic pact to pursue fuller trade ties with Syria

Kaja Kallas

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Sawssan Abdelwahab, who fled Idlib in Syria, walks with her children outside the refugees camp near the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern city of Yayladagi February 16, 2012. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTR2XYH9

On Turkey-Syria Border, Despair Over War

Syrians in Antakya are pessimistic about the future.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) waves as he arrives with Syrian Defense Minister General Ali Habib (C) and Chief of Staff General Dawoud Rajha to attend a dinner to honour army officers on the 65th Army Foundation anniversary in Damascus August 1, 2010. REUTERS/Sana (SYRIA - Tags: ANNIVERSARY POLITICS MILITARY) - RTR2GZ1H

Is Defection of Syrian General Part of Russian Plan?

There are reports that a high-ranking Syrian Alawite officer, Gen. Ali Habib, has left the country, leaving some thinking this could be part of a Russian plan to reach a solution to the conflict.

Norweigan ambassador.jpg

Norwegian Diplomat in Israel Doubts Settlements Can Be Stopped

After years of involvement in the Middle East, Norwegian Ambassador to Israel Svein Sevje is concerned that he is more worried about the future of Israel than Israelis are.

Anti-government Alevi protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul June 23, 2013. The European Union is on the verge of scrapping a new round of membership talks with Turkey, a move that would further undermine Ankara's already slim hopes of joining the bloc and damage its relations with Brussels. Germany, the EU's biggest economic power, is blocking efforts to revive Turkey's EU membership bid, partly because of its handling of anti-government protests that have swept the country in the last

Is Syria War Additional Spark To Alevi Protests in Turkey?

The war in Syria and the fallout from the Gezi Park demonstrations may be revealing a fault line in Turkish politics.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Backs US-Russia Plan for Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that if there is a chance for peace in Syria, “we have to grab it.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin stand with children during a welcoming ceremony for Putin in the West Bank town of Bethlehem June 26, 2012. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTR345WH

Russia's Mideast Role A Plus for Palestinians

Active Russian involvement in the Middle East will be welcomed by Palestinians, as they seek to counter Israel's hold on US policy.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shake hands after making statements following meetings regarding Syria, at a news conference in Geneva September 14, 2013. The United States and Russia have agreed on a proposal to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, Kerry said on Saturday after nearly three days of talks with Lavrov. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX13KX7

US-Russia Agreement Gives Hope on Syria

The US-Russian understanding on Syria presents a number of challenges but also positive opportunities.

Anti-government Alevi protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Istanbul June 23, 2013. The European Union is on the verge of scrapping a new round of membership talks with Turkey, a move that would further undermine Ankara's already slim hopes of joining the bloc and damage its relations with Brussels. Germany, the EU's biggest economic power, is blocking efforts to revive Turkey's EU membership bid, partly because of its handling of anti-government protests that have swept the country in the last

Syria Crisis Prompts Turkey's New Openings to Its Alevis

Turkey’s new liberalization package for its largest religious minority is linked to Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) speaks next to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as they answer questions from the media, following meetings regarding Syria, at a news conference in Geneva September 14, 2013. The United States and Russia have agreed on a proposal to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, Kerry said on Saturday after nearly three days of talks with Lavrov. REUTERS/Larry Downing (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX13KRV

Obama’s Syria Policy Has Potential For Breakthrough on War

Al-Monitor’s analysis and coverage of US policy toward Syria.

A woman shows U.S. dollars and Syrian pounds in Amman December 12, 2011. The Syrian pound's depreciation has accelerated in the past week as the nine-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad takes its toll on the economy, after months of relative stability when the central bank managed to support the exchange rate by supplying foreign currency. Picture taken December 12, 2011. To match Feature SYRIA-CURRENCY/ REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTR2V9K6

Syria War Paralyzes Region's Economies

General instability in post-Arab Spring Middle Eastern countries, along with ongoing conflicts, has left the region's economic situation particularly dismal.

Improvised mortar shells that are colored are seen inside a box at a weapons factory in Aleppo September 4, 2013. REUTERS/Hamid Khatib (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTX1372R

Court Case Reveals Turkey Arms Flow To Syrian Rebels

The transfer of Turkish weapons to the Free Syrian Army is documented in a court case in Hatay.

Syrian boys from the northern Syrian town of Ras al-Ain attempt to cross the border back into Syria at the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province, November 24, 2012. Syria on Friday condemned Turkey's request for NATO to deploy Patriot defence missiles near their common border, calling it "provocative", after a spate of clashes there that has raised fear of the Syrian civil war embroiling the wider region. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS CONFLICT) -

Turkey’s Syria Border on Edge

A first-hand account of Turkey’s Syrian border suggests that Turkey continues to provide sanctuary for both rebels fighting the Syrian government and Kurdish forces alike.