On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on Iran in his Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump, while the US leader is more likely to want to discuss Lebanon and Syria. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says it doesn’t seek to resume negotiations with Washington Sharaa says Syria seeks security deal with Israel; Red Sea shipping slows after Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Kremlin confirms S-400 talks with Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkish forces withdraw from largest base in northeast Syria Ankara has begun pulling back forces and equipment from an observation post long surrounded by regime forces in Syria’s northeast Idlib province. Syria
Syrian extremist group in Idlib breaks with jihadist ideologue When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was first established, it taught its members the approach of prominent jihadist ideologue Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, but it has now severed ties with him and recanted his ideology. Syria
Athens reaches out to Syria via Greek Orthodox community Syria’s Greek Orthodox Christians hope the resumption of ties between Syria and Greece will help them recover from the war. Syria
White House official traveled to Syria for secret hostage talks The Wall Street Journal first reported that Kash Patel traveled to Damascus in an effort to secure the release of Americans hostages including Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz. Syria
US drone strike kills two suspected al-Qaeda officials in Idlib The strike is believed to have killed a former member of Huras al-Din's Shura Council and a security official. Syria
Rights group says Putin may bear 'command responsibility' for war crimes in Syria Human Rights Watch has named 10 senior Syrian and Russian officials who knew or should have known about the "unlawful attacks" taking place in Idlib. Syria
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Assad pays rare visit to fire-ravaged western Syria The UN says at least three people have died in the fires that erupted last week in Latakia, Tartus and Homs provinces. Syria
Palestinians displaced from Syria's Yarmouk camp to finally go home The camp had been the focus of fighting and seizure by Islamic State and Syrian government forces. Palestine
Russia's outreach to Syrian Kurds highlights dual-track approach While Russia blames the United States for adding fuel to the fire of Kurdish separatism, it calls on the Syrian Kurds to lay the groundwork for constitutional reform, so as to contain conflict in the territories over which Damascus has long lost control. Syria
Intel: Oman ambassador returns to Syria With much of Syria now under Syrian President Basher al-Assad's control, some Arab states are slowly considering the reopening of foreign missions in Damascus. Legacy: Gulf
Car bombing kills more than a dozen in Syria's al-Bab The town controlled by Turkish-backed Syrian rebel forces continues to experience violence. Syria