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
Israeli Minister Lapid Hears 'New Music' in Iran In a recent CNN interview, Israeli Minister Yair Lapid seems to distance himself somewhat from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran. Israel
Vedrine: Threat of Force Key To US-Russia Initiative on Syria Hubert Vedrine, a former French minister for foreign affairs, talks to Al-Monitor about the Syrian crisis. Syria
Davutoglu: Shooting Down of Helicopter 'Punishment' for Syria Turkey’s frustration with the Damascus regime going unpunished, even for using chemical weapons, played a major role in shooting down a Syrian helicopter. Syria
Turkey Should Shut Down Jihadists on Border Turkey's shooting down of a Syrian helicopter that violated its airspace on Sept. 16 should provoke a clampdown on all border activity. Syria
Syria War Polarizes West Bank Palestinians Increased international attention on Syria has reignited debate among West Bank Palestinians over whom to support. Palestine
Iran Increases Aid to PFLP Thanks to Syria Stance Iran has rewarded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's pro-Assad stance with an increase in financial and military assistance. Palestine
Saudis Set Back by US-Russia Deal on Syrian Chemical Weapons Saudi Arabia, like Iran, has pursued a sectarian interventionist strategy in Syria that furthers the war and undermines a democratic transition. Saudi Arabia
More Obstacles to Formation Of New Lebanon Government As conflict continues to rage next door in Syria, Lebanon’s polarized political scene must face several challenges before it can build a government that satisfies past agreements. Lebanon
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. Lebanon
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. Palestine
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. Syria
