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Palmyra

Syria

December 19, 2025

Damascus 1:00 pm

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Thousands of people wave Syrian flags as they gather in a square during an anniversary rally in Idlib, Syria, on Dec. 8, 2025. (Photo by Omar Albaw/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

US eyes embassy reopening, Syria’s terror delisting after Caesar repeal

The Caesar Act's repeal opens the door to improved US-Syria diplomatic and economic ties, but questions remain about embassy operations and lingering sanctions.

Syrian Yazidi women dressed in traditional clothing dance with other revelers during a ceremony marking the Yazidi New Year in the Kurdish village of Dogir near Amuda in northeastern Syria on April 17, 2024.

Culture

Syria’s Kurdish artists defy ISIS mentality through music, dance

In northeast Syria, Kurdish women are using music and performance to assert cultural identity, promote female empowerment and navigate postwar challenges.

People shop in a market on June 17, 2025 in Damascus, Syria.

Senate vote paves way for Trump to repeal Syria’s Caesar sanctions

President Trump is poised to sign bipartisan legislation scrapping the sanctions that are seen as a major obstacle to Syria's economic recovery.

Latest News

Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know

The Internal Security Directorate in the Zabadani area of rural Damascus thwarted an attempt to smuggle a shipment of weapons and seized large quantities of RPG shells that were hidden in an organized manner and prepared for smuggling towards Lebanon, on Dec. 17, 2025.

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Analysis

Will deadly Palmyra attack accelerate SDF's integration into Syrian forces?

Armed personnel of SDF and public security forces of the new Syrian government stand guard in al-Ramun district of Aleppo, Syria, on April 3, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Pentagon Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

A photo illustration shows a laptop screen displays welcome screens and messages on the Github developer platform website, on February 23, 2024 in London, England.

After sanctions, GitHub reopens to Syrian coders in boost for digital revival

Syrian developers regain GitHub access despite blocked platforms and shaky internet.

This picture shows pumpjacks in an oil field and smoke plumes rising in the background, following reported Turkish drone strikes near the town of al-Qahtaniyah in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, close to the border with Turkey, on Nov. 23, 2022.

Exclusive

UK-based oil firm victim of standoff between Damascus, Syria’s Kurds

Gulfsands Managing Director John Bell outlines his company’s plans and Syria’s energy prospects in an exclusive interview.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A member of the security forces with Syria's new government stands over pills of Captagon during a raid in Latakia on Jan. 19, 2025.

Syria seizes Captagon with Turkish backing amid drug trade boom

The new Islamist government in Syria has prioritized dismantling the Captagon trade, but the industry is still thriving.

HUSSEIN FALEH/AFP via Getty Images

Syria exports first oil in 14 years after sanctions lifted: What to know

The shipment marks a major step forward for Syria, which has been embroiled in a civil war for 14 years and under Western sanctions for more than four decades.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Israel cautious on Lebanon withdrawal despite Netanyahu overtures, US push

The Trump administration is pressuring Netanyahu to make concessions to the Lebanese government in exchange for its efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

SDF fighters wave flags and flash victory signs from a vehicle during a convoy procession in Aleppo, Syria, on April 9, 2025.

After weeks of threats, is Turkey softening line on Syrian SDF?

Turkey’s dialing down of rhetoric may be linked to ongoing Israel-Damascus security talks, an expert told Al-Monitor.

People unload containers at the port of Latakia in western Syria on Dec. 30, 2024.

US eases export controls to boost Syria's recovery

The move is the Trump administration’s latest bid to assist the country's postwar reconstruction.

Saudi companies signed agreements with Syria’s Ministry of Energy during the kingdom’s participation in the Damascus International Fair in Damascus, on Aug. 28, 2025.

ACWA Power, TAQA among Saudi firms backing Syria's energy comeback

Some 14 years of civil war have wiped at least $800 billion from the country’s gross domestic product, according to UN figures.

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Syria says six soldiers killed in Israeli drone strike as US pushes for security deal

There have been signs of progress in Israel-Syria talks, though tensions are flaring in the south and Syria has condemned a number of Israeli actions.

Syria partners with Nokia to rebuild digital infrastructure after years of war

The new Syrian government wants to expand internet access in the country after damage during the civil war and years of underinvestment due to sanctions.

Kurdish Syrians demonstrate in the Syrian eastern city of Qamishli to demand the release of the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan in Turkey, on May 29, 2025.

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM party to meet jailed PKK leader Ocalan

The meeting will come as Ankara ramps up threats against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to disarm.

Israel military vehicles drive along the border fence into Israel, near the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, July 17, 2025.

Analysis

Will Israel’s potential Syria security deal intensify its rivalry with Turkey?

Israeli experts warn that a security deal with Syria won’t ease tensions with Turkey or end the ongoing battle for regional influence.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense