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
Most Turks Do Not Support Erdogan's Syria Policy According to a recent poll, only 27.4% of Turks support their prime minister's Syria policies. Syria
No Improvement in Sight For Hamas, Hezbollah Ties Hamas and Hezbollah are continuing on divergent paths concerning Syria, and the relationship will remain strained for the foreseeable future. Palestine
Bahraini Salafists in Spotlight The recent deaths of Bahraini jihadists in Syria point to the rise of radical Salafism in Bahrain. Bahrain
Hamas, Hezbollah Reportedly Seek To Cool Tensions Hamas sought an urgent meeting with Hezbollah to ease tensions after accusations that Palestinians affiliated with Hamas had fought alongside Syrian rebels in Qusair. Palestine
Exclusive: I Saw Nasrallah in Qusair The Hezbollah secretary-general’s mysterious visit to Qusair may not have been his first. Lebanon
Iranian Kurdish Struggle Linked to Turkey, Syria Iran is not admitting that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units are operating in Syria. Syria
Is Israel Considering Participation By Russia in UNDOF? If true, it raises many questions about the shifting regional balance of forces. Lebanon
Erdogan, Embattled at Home, Popular With Syrian Refugees Erdogan's Syrian policy is fuelling anti-government feelings, but among Syria's refugees he remains a hero. Syria
Israel Says It Can 'Manage' Chaos in Syria Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon predicts fighting in Syria will go on for a long time, but suggests that may not be a problem for Israel. Israel
US Needs to Link Peace Process, Syria For Washington to successfully form a Western-Arab coalition against Syria, it must increase pressure on Israel to avoid accusations of having double standards. Palestine
Life in Homs a Mixture Of Fear, Danger A first-hand account from Homs reveals a city divided and under siege by the Syrian war. Lebanon
UN Warns of Israel-Syria Escalation The UN secretary-general warned today that the cease-fire between Israel and Syria is in jeopardy as Austrian forces have withdrawn from the UN Disengagement Observer Force. Israel
