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
Hezbollah chief says Israel fighting 'imaginary battle' in Syria Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iran-aligned Lebanese Hezbollah, accuses Israel of targeting missile-manufacturing sites in Syria. Israel
Intel: US sanctions squeezing Iranian forces in Syria, says US envoy Cash-strapped Iran is reining in some of its forces in Syria as a result of American sanctions, US envoy James Jeffrey said today. Syria
Turkey targets US-backed Syrian Kurdish peace talks Turkey is openly disgruntled over the US-backed effort to unite disparate Syrian Kurdish factions that kicked off last month. Syria
Press freedom watchdog criticizes suspension of Kurdish reporter in northeast Syria Rudaw's Vivian Fatah was suspended because she did not describe Kurdish fighters who had been killed in Syria as martyrs. Iraq
Iraqi-Syrian desert border area key amid geopolitical tensions Recent security incidents indicate that the Islamic State continues to operate in the Iraqi-Syrian border area despite reduced capabilities. Iraq
Coronavirus, war prompts northeast Syrian schools to go online The Kurdish-led government in northeast Syria is putting classes online and may continue to use the internet for education beyond the coronavirus. Syria
Amnesty: Syria, Russia responsible for war crimes in Idlib Between May 2019 and February 2020, the UK-based rights group recorded 18 attacks on hospitals and schools carried out by Russian and Syrian forces. Syria
Report: Child soldiers deployed to Libya by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army An exclusive report, citing sources on the ground in Syria and Libya, says Syrian teenagers are being sent to Libya to take part in the civil war there. Syria
Intel: Trump administration singles out Russia’s role in Libya war The Donald Trump administration stepped up its criticism of Russia’s role in Libya’s civil war on Thursday. Syria
Civilian killings in Syria are a ‘ticking time bomb,’ UN commissioner says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned of a "ticking time bomb" in Syria amid an uptick of civilian attacks and human rights violations. Syria
Kurdish and coalition forces target Islamic State in eastern Syria The operation comes at a time of recent IS attacks in Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Turkey throttles water as pandemic looms over northeast Syria Western nongovernmental organizations confirm that the water supply from the Alok pumping station has been repeatedly interrupted since the Turkish offensive. Syria
