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
Danny Ayalon on the US, Russia, Syria and Iran Former Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon says Israel can count on the United States in dealing with Iran. Israel
France Out on Limb Over Syria An assertive French policy on Syria has revealed the marginalization of France, and the EU, in dealing with Syria. Syria
Is Hezbollah’s Syria Approach Tied To Shiite End-Times Doctrine? Some believe that Hezbollah’s approach to the Syrian conflict is tied into Shiite doctrine concerning Judgment Day. Lebanon
Israel Escapes Retaliation Threat from Syria Russia and Syria have offered the US a respectable way out, without damaging its deterrence, and relieving the region from an immediate retaliatory threat. Israel
Putin, Obama Should Team Up For WMD-Free Mideast The channel opened between the United States and Russia to resolve the Syrian chemical-weapons crisis could provide leverage for ridding the Middle East of all non-conventional weaponry. Israel
How Lucky Is Syria’s President? Bashar al-Assad knows that despite a brutal war, his allies have his back and his opposition is fractured — and also that the end of his regime does not mean the end of the war in Syria. Qatar
Obama, Putin Acknowledge Limits of Power The Russian initiative concerning Syria gives the international community a little breathing room to effect a realistic resolution to the conflict. Lebanon
Israel Will Pay for Obama’s Hesitancy On Syria Israel should expect little in return for its support of US President Obama's policies on Syria. Israel
Israelis Question Obama Response To 'Smoking Gun' in Syria Senior Israelis wonder what it means for US policy toward Iran that US President Barack Obama did not act on a "smoking gun" in Syria. Israel
Russian Initiative Offers Hope Of Breakthrough on Syria War Getting Syria to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention and give up its chemical weapons gives new hope for a surge in US-Russian diplomacy to end the war in Syria. Syria
Putin Wins Big in Syria, With Assist From Obama President Barack Obama's threat to use force against the Syrian chemical arsenal paved the way for the initiative by Russian President Vladimir Putin and maybe a solution. Israel
Russian Diplomacy Transforms Debate on Syria The Russian initiative on Syria's chemical weapons slows the Obama administration’s flagging effort to get congressional support for a military strike. Syria
