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
Tracing Syrian Conflict Back to Iraq’s Civil War The relationship between Iraq and Syria has always been close, yet contradictory, with some arguing that the economic and political results of the Iraqi civil war led to the outbreak of Syria’s current conflict. Iraq
Al-Qaeda's Latest Target: Syria's Civilian Activists Opposition activists are being targeted by al-Qaeda fighters in rebel-held areas in northern Syria. Syria
Nasrallah Warns Turkey, Gulf on Syria Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah speaks on Syria and the region. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey Should Postpone Bill On Sending Troops Abroad It is not time for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ask the parliament to pass a new bill authorizing sending troops abroad, including Syria. Syria
Impressions From Turkey’s Syrian Frontier A visit to Turkey’s border with Syria provides context for the complexity of Ankara’s choices in dealing with the Syria war. Syria
Syrian Opposition, Kurd Agreement Irrelevant Without PYD The Syrian National Coalition will need to reach an agreement with the powerful Democratic Union Party if it truly wants to win Kurdish support. Syria
Rouhani Heads to New York, Offers Help On Syria Talks Al-Monitor’s analysis and coverage of what to expect at the UN General Assembly this week. Israel
Kurdish Parties Build Alliance To Curb Barzani’s Power in Syria On the eve of elections in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the Kurdish question in Turkey, Iraq, and Syria becomes even more entangled. Iraq
Attack on Ankara Police Station Leads to New Questions for AKP An attack on police headquarters further deepens mutual suspicions between anti and pro-AKP Turks. Syria
Lebanon Support Group Deserves Support The International Support Group for Lebanon, a critical initiative by President Michel Suleiman, will meet at the UN General Assembly on Sept. 25. Jordan
Russia Rescues Turkey From Syrian Chemical Threat The accord to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons has marginalized Ankara’s Syria policy while removing the threat against Turkey. Syria
Turkey’s Syria Nightmare Goes From Bad to Worse Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups fighting the Syrian government are setting up camp on Syria’s border. Syria
