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's silent partner? There may be common interests shared by Jerusalem and Riyadh, but there is no "alliance" on the horizon. Saudi Arabia
Syrian events continue to develop in Geneva, Ghouta Though the battles taking place in both places take different forms, the events going on in Ghouta and Geneva will bear significantly on the near future of the conflict. Iraq
Syrian FSA fades in shadow of Saudi-backed opposition front This week, the United States and the United Kingdom suspended nonlethal aid to the Syrian opposition, fearing equipment could fall into the wrong hands. Saudi Arabia
Suleiman: Parliament should not boycott presidential election Lebanese President Michel Suleiman criticized Hezbollah for going to fight in Syria and called for fixing some of the constitution’s flaws. Palestine
Kurdish peace process is on knife edge — again Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members kidnapped four Turkish soldiers on Sunday only to release them early Monday; this has caused people to question the progress of talks with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Iraq
Netanyahu worries about US reset in region If Iran is no longer a diplomatic taboo, could Hamas and Hezbollah be next for Washington? Palestine
Is US letting down allies in Lebanon with Iran deal? There is a growing belief among traditional US allies in Lebanon that the recent Iranian nuclear deal will be at their expense. Saudi Arabia
Will Russia play the Kurdish card? Russia’s connections to the region’s Kurdish communities present both opportunities and risks for Moscow’s interests in the Middle East. Syria
US, region pivot to confront terrorist threat in Syria Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warns of a "Islamic emirate" in Syria, former US diplomat Ryan Crocker suggests a channel to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Israeli President Shimon Peres says he would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Bahrain
Bahrain's foreign minister asks Iran to end regional interference Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's foreign minister, says Iran must take "concrete steps" to show that it is turning a page in its relations with Bahrain and the Gulf. Bahrain
Syrian Kurds discuss differences over Geneva II At the core of Syrian Kurd differences is tension between Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Massoud Barzani and Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan. Iraq
Jordan's Daraa problem The battle against Salafists in Daraa, Syria, is becoming a shared interest between Damascus and Amman. Jordan
