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Syria

August 5, 2026

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A Syrian Air passenger jet lands at Aleppo airport on March 18, 2025, the first aircraft to land after it was shut during the offensive that toppled president Bashar al-Assad. "The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of operations at Aleppo International Airport starting Tuesday, March 18," the official news agency SANA reported. The reopening of the airport in the northern city will see the arrival of domestic and international flights, the authority said, adding that it welcomes all a

Explainer

Syria launching Moscow, Medina flights as aviation momentum builds

Damascus and Aleppo are adding a growing number of international flights in 2026, with activity in Syria's airspace already doubling so far this year amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday appointed veteran diplomat Dmitry Dogadkin, pictured here, as Russia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria, succeeding Alexander Yefimov.

Russia names Dmitry Dogadkin new ambassador to Syria amid thaw: What to know

The appointment of the new ambassador, who previously served as Russia’s envoy to Qatar, comes as Moscow recalibrates its ties with the new Syrian authorities to maintain its strategic foothold in the Mediterranean country.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Damascus, Aug. 3, 2026. IKRPresident/X

Iraqi Kurdish president’s meeting with Syria’s Sharaa signals shift in SDF dynamics

KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa underscored the Kurdistan Region’s growing role in Syria’s Kurdish politics.

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On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

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Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival

Tourism students and visitors visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apamea in the Hama countryside, Syria, on July 8, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security 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

At 70, Israel sits atop a volcano

Israel’s army holds a definitive advantage over the rest of the region, but the 70-year-old country is confronted by multiple enemies and points of conflict.

Syrians wave Iranian, Russian and Syrian flags during a protest against U.S.-led air strikes in Damascus,Syria April 14,2018.REUTERS/ Omar Sanadiki - RC151A9ED3D0

Strikes raise threat to US troops in Syria

The Pentagon announced plans to increase the protection level for the 2,000 American troops in Syria after US-led strikes this weekend, highlighting risks to US troops on the ground.

Presidents Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia hold a joint news conference after their meeting in Ankara, Turkey April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC11505E54F0

Will Ankara’s support for Syria strikes impact Turkish-Russian ties?

Turkey’s enthusiastic support for US-led strikes targeting Assad’s military assets prompts questions about Ankara’s erratic approach to the Syrian crisis.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, launches a strike as part of the multinational response to Syria's use of chemical weapons is seen in this image from Al Udeid Air Base, Doha, Qatar released on April 14, 2018. U.S. Air Force/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1E73E5B3E0

Joint Syria strikes build US-EU trust ahead of critical Iran deadline

With the UK and France joining the United States in strikes over Syria’s chemical weapons use, trust is growing between the Trump and European national security teams ahead of a key May deadline on the Iran nuclear deal.

Russia takes low-key approach to West's strike on Syria

The United States and Russia appear to have coordinated with each other on how to minimize repercussions from the Syrian strike.

Israeli-Arab party split over US strike on Syria

The Hadash faction within the Israeli-Arab Joint List demonstrated against the American attack on Syrian chemical depots.

Following Syria strikes, Rouhani calls for closer Iran-Russia ties

Iranian officials say that the strikes on Syria demonstrate that armed groups are close to defeat.

After missile strikes, Trump resumes exit strategy for Syria

"No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East," Trump says.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer and crew, being deployed to launch strike as part of the multinational response to Syria's use of chemical weapons, is seen in this image released from Al Udeid Air Base, Doha, Qatar on April 14, 2018. U.S. Air Force/Handout via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC1FB58E8DC0

Turkey's response to US-led Syria strikes: Not enough but welcomed

Immediate Turkish official reactions to the US-led airstrikes in Syria differ significantly from the public’s perceptions: While most Turks are skeptical of Western bombing of a Muslim nation, Erdogan fans afflicted by "Assad-phobia" cheered.

MOSUL, IRAQ: (FILES)-A US officer from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) serves turkey for soldiers lining up for a traditional Thanksgiving meal at a dinning room in a US base in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, 25 November 2004. A huge explosion at this US army mess hall killed 22 people in the deadliest single attack against US forces in Iraq yesterday 21 December 2004. AFP PHOTO/TAUSEEF MUSTAFA (Photo credit should read TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP/Getty Images)

Pentagon acknowledges US contractor presence in Syria for first time

The US military revealed in a new report that some 5,500 contractors are helping fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

TOPSHOT - A Syrian Kurdish fighter walks in the town of Rajo in the Afrin District on January 27, 2018.
Turkish troops and tanks entered northern Syria on January 21 in an offensive aimed at ousting the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers a terror group, from the Afrin region bordering Turkey. / AFP PHOTO / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

Jilted Kurds ignore Western hand-wringing over Syria gas attack

The Syrian Kurds have been notably silent on US President Donald Trump’s threat to punish Damascus over a suspected chemical attack on Douma, likely disillusioned and choosing to focus on condemning Turkey's ongoing offensive in Afrin.

Turkish soldiers ride on a military vehicle in the center of Afrin, Syria March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1B6933DB00

Turkey's running out of time to pick a partner in Syria

Turkey's been playing the field in Syria, but as the crisis escalates, Ankara may have to make a commitment to either its NATO allies or Moscow.