Archives for March, 2025

People gather to celebrate an iftar meal organized by a humanitarian organization, as they break their fast on March 4, 2025, amid the ruins of the Qaboun neighborhood of Damascus, Syria.

Feature

Syria’s post-Assad economy falters as US stalls on sanctions relief

Three months after Syria's rebel takeover, all eyes are on Ahmed al-Sharaa and whether he can stabilize the economy as promised.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Jordanian Army shows soldiers patrolling along the border with Syria to prevent trafficking, on Feb. 17, 2022.

Four accused smugglers killed on Jordan-Syria border: What we know

Jordan’s border forces killed four drug smugglers attempting to cross from Syria, seizing weapons and narcotics in the latest crackdown on smuggling along the border.

Syrian central bank

UK removes 24 Syrian entities from sanctions list, including central bank

The latest decision comes after the European Union lifted several sanctions across banking and energy on Syria on Feb. 24.

A woman waves a flag bearing a picture of PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan

Turkey presses PKK to disarm 'immediately'

Agence France-Presse

The entrance to the Central Bank of Turkey, Ankara, Feb. 8, 2024.

Turkey lowers interest rates to 42.5% following dip in annual inflation

The decision to further cut interest rates follows a decline in the country's year-on-year inflation to below 40%.

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of buildings in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza

Hamas says Trump's 'DEAD' threat to Gaza undermines ceasefire

Agence France-Presse

The Arctic has seen record monthly lows since December

Global sea ice cover hits record low in February as world continues hot streak

Agence France-Presse

The new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is set to open fully on July 3

Egypt's gem of a museum gears up for grand opening

Agence France-Presse

The death Mahsa Amini sparked protests in and outside of Iran

Iranian singer ready 'to pay price for freedom' after 74 lashes

Agence France-Presse

Ahmed Mater: Antenna (2021). (Courtesy of the artist and UCCA)

Culture

AL-Monitor Riyadh: Saudi artist Ahmed Mater brings exhibit to Shanghai

The retrospective of Ahmed Mater at Shanghai’s UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, staged in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture’s Visual Arts Commission.

B-52-bomber, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, is an eight-engine long-range bomber of the US Air Force.

Pentagon deploys more B-52 bombers to Middle East in warning to Iran

The United States sent another B-52 bomber over the Middle East this week – the third sortie this month – after the aircraft carrier USS Truman returned to the Red Sea.

Jared Szuba

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

Dahlan

Analysis

What’s behind Abbas’ amnesty gesture as Dahlan, others eye role in postwar Gaza?

The move relates to exiled rival Mohammed Dahlan and comes as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are pushing for reforms of the Palestinian Authority.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

TOPSHOT - Qatari soldiers fire the cannon marking the end of the first fasting day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and signalling for people to have their "iftar" fast-breaking meal, at Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha on March 1, 2025. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

AL-Monitor Doha: Ramadan festivities arrive to the Old Port

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich meets with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington on March 5, 2025.

Israel’s Smotrich gets warm embrace in Washington, first visit under Trump

Israeli ultranationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich met with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, marking his first high-level meeting with a US official after having been shunned by the Biden administration.

Des Israéliens attendent le passage du convoi funéraire de l'ex-otage franco-israélien Ohad Yahalomi, à Rishon Letzion, dans le centre d'Israël, le 5 mars 2025

Israelis bid farewell to hostage in emotional kibbutz funeral

Agence France-Presse

A monument with the emblem of the Syrian government stands in front of a government building in Damascus.

New Iran-backed group wants to fight plans to 'divide' Syria: What to know

A newly formed armed Syrian group called the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria, pledged to counter efforts by the United States, Israel and Turkey to divide the country following the fall of Assad.