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
Israel Should Be Part Of Coalition Against Syria Israel has a moral obligation to be part of the international coalition being formed against the Assad regime, both as a concerned neighbor and as part of the international community. Israel
US-Russia Diplomacy Could Be Casualty of Attack on Syria A US attack on Syria may undermine the prospects for a Geneva II peace conference and worsen already strained ties between Washington and Moscow. Syria
Sultan Qaboos, UN's Feltman Test Diplomacy with Iran Sultan Qaboos of Oman and UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman create diplomatic flurry in Tehran. Oman
US Attack on Syria Will Achieve Nothing US attack on Syria will backfire on the Obama administration and Israel, awaken nationalism within the Syrian people and strengthen President Bashar al-Assad. Israel
Reports of Syria Chemical Attack Split Iraqis The alleged chemical attack in Syria has revealed a sectarian rift in Iraq, with some Sunnis accusing Syria’s Alawite regime, while some Shiites blame the massacre on the opposition. Iraq
Aleppo Christians Fear Iraq-Style Ethnic Cleansing Many Christians in Aleppo are fleeing, while others are taking up arms alongside the regime to defend their way of life. Syria
Hezbollah-Hamas Relations 'Good' Despite Beirut Bombing Accusations Sources close to Hezbollah claim ties with Hamas remain on relatively good terms despite disagreements and accusations that Hamas was involved in bombing a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut. Palestine
Who's Behind Attempts to Spread Chaos in Lebanon? According to a senior former Lebanese security official, jihadists are carrying out a series of attacks in Lebanon to draw the country into a civil war. Palestine
Turkey's Foreign Policy: Slip-Up or Success? While Turkey boasts foreign policy successes in the Middle East, these measures could be more accurately described as blunders. Egypt
Israel Urged to Speak Out Against Chemical Weapons Use in Syria A philosopher, a poet, a writer and a Nazi hunter call for Israel to take a firm stance against the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Israel
