Syria Conflict

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

Breaking | Last Updated: December 17, 2025, 12:43 pm

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

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

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.

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

Syrian authorities have stepped up operations targeting smuggling attempts mainly destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon since the fall of President Bashar al‑Assad’s regime last year.

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

Analysis

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

The struggle between the Israeli prime minister and the envoy is an acknowledgment by Israeli leaders that "what will happen is what Trump wants to happen."

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

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.

Analysis

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

Following the Palmyra attack, analysts say the SDF may face growing pressure to align with Damascus.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Pentagon identifies two US Army soldiers killed in Syria attack

US Army soldiers stand near armored military vehicles on the outskirts of Rumaylan in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, bordering Turkey, on March 27, 2023.

Jared Szuba

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

Ahmed al-Ahmed, Syrian Australian who fought off Hanukkah attackers, recovering from surgery

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns meets with Ahmed al-Ahmed in the hospital on Dec. 15, 2025.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

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

Analysis

As Turkey’s East Med isolation deepens, will Ankara seek maritime Syria deal?

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides signs documents with Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, as Lebanon's president, Joseph Aoun, looks on during an agreement signing ceremony at the presidential palace of Baabda, east of Beirut, on Nov. 26, 2025.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Two US soldiers, interpreter killed in ISIS ambush in Syria, Pentagon says

The ancient ruins of Palmyra are pictured in central Syria at sunrise on Aug. 24, 2025.

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - DECEMBER 30: The leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa waits to greet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (not in picture) ahead of a meeting between the Syrian leadership and a Ukrainian delegation to help strengthen ties between the two countries on December 30, 2024 in Damascus, Syria. Syria is transitioning after the fall of the Baath regime and the Assad family's rule, with a temporary administration now in place in Damascus and Aleppo. (Photo by Ali Haj Suleim

Syria’s FM to visit Saudi Arabia on first foreign trip as Sharaa praises Riyadh

The newly appointed foreign minister in the Syrian interim administration established after the fall of Assad said he accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart to visit the kingdom, which would be his first official visit abroad.

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attends the third session of the G20 Leaders' meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov, 19, 2024.

Analysis

2024 turnaround: Assad fall grants Turkey’s Erdogan electoral rebound

Despite facing a historic defeat in local elections, Erdogan’s foreign policy wins, including Turkish-backed rebels’ victory in Syria, appear to have bolstered his domestic support.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 13: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens to translation as he meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and five Republican U.S. senators in the Oval Office of the White House on November 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. During their meeting, Trump and Erdogan were scheduled to discuss Turkey's purchase of a Russian air defense system as well as the Turkish offensive against the Kurds in Syria. Also in DC today, the first public impeachment hearings took place in the House Intell

Analysis

As resurgent ISIS exploits Syria’s void, will Trump cede fight to Turkey?

Following the fall of the Syrian regime, the Islamic State is exploiting power vacuums to rebuild as Turkey positions itself to potentially take over counter-ISIS efforts while advancing its own regional interests.

Colin P. Clarke

By Colin P. Clarke

In Pittsburgh, US, reporting on counterterrorism, militancy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi looks on during a meeting between the top diplomats of Iraq, Syria and Iran at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, in Baghdad, on Dec. 6, 2024.

Iran’s foreign minister lands in China amid regional and domestic turmoil

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in China on Friday as Iran seeks stability after the weakening of its proxy network, particularly Hezbollah, the fall of Syria’s Assad and its own domestic crises.

Storks are seen as a combine harvests wheat on a farm field near Malopolovetske village, some a hundred kilometers from Kyiv on July 20, 2024, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine sends Syria 500 tons of wheat in first post-Assad aid: What we know

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated a desire to help Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, who was heavily backed by Russia.

Fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration are deployed after closing a road leading to the Alawite-majority Mazzeh 86 neighbourhood in western Damascus, on Dec. 26, 2024.

Amid Alawite tensions, Syria's new rulers launch security operation: What we know

Syrian authorities conducted a search and made arrests in Tartous on Thursday following an ambush the day prior and amid rising violence throughout the country.

US Representative Mike Waltz speaks during a hearing of the House Task Force on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 26, 2024.

Trump's national security adviser says ISIS, Israel border priorities in Syria

Congressman Mike Waltz said the incoming Trump administration will re-designate Yemen’s Houthis as terrorists and said the prospects for Israel-Saudi normalization are “good.”

Syria's newly appointed foreign minister, Assad Hassan al-Shibani, meets with Polish officials in Damascus.

Syria's new foreign, defense ministers close to Turkey, influential in HTS

Following the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new transitional government swiftly filled vacancies by appointing new foreign and defense ministers on Saturday.

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of an international forum "Interrelation of times and civilizations - basis of peace and development" dedicated to the 300th anniversary of poet Magtymguly Fragi's birthday in Ashgabat on October 11, 2024. (Photo by Alexander SHCHERBAK / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER SHCHERBAK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

India-Europe corridor, trade top Russian delegation talks in Iran: What we know

The visit occurs at a pivotal moment for the evolving partnership and the challenges it faces under international sanctions and scrutiny, coupled with regional dynamics that have seen both sides in graver need of one another.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for a meeting with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party, in Damascus, on Dec. 22, 2024.

From UK to Jordan: Delegations pour into Damascus, meet Syria's al-Sharaa

Officials from the Arab world, Turkey, the US and Europe have sent delegations to Syria since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for the European Political Community summit at Puskas Arena on Nov. 7, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

Turkey’s Erdogan says end near for PKK, Syrian offshoots

The Turkish president's remarks come amid growing speculation of an imminent Turkish-backed rebel offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

People celebrate the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad and Baath Party rule, Umayyad Square, Damascus, Dec. 8, 2024.

Analysis

Turkey in post-Assad Syria: Balancing PKK, jihadist threats & opportunities

Although pleased with the rebel takeover in Syria, Ankara wants to avoid the instability that gripped Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security