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Syria

October 20, 2026

Damascus 4:04 pm

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Trucks loaded with goods wait to cross over to Syria

Analysis

How Hormuz crisis is reshaping economic ties between Iraq and Syria

Iraq and Syria are expanding trade and energy cooperation, but security risks, economic challenges and longstanding mistrust raise questions about whether their growing partnership can endure.

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics

Israeli troops stand guard on the dividing line between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and Syrian, near Majdal Shams, July 16, 2025.

Analysis

'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma

The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa.

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

An attendee walks past signage displayed inside the venue for the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok on October 14, 2026. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP via Getty Images)

Syria to rejoin Arab group at IMF, leaving Russian-led constituency

Syria will rejoin the Arab constituency at the International Monetary Fund beginning Nov. 1 and has applied for membership in the EBRD.

Latest News

Explainer

Syria arrests Mihrac Ural, ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey

Mihrac Ural, who was also known as Ali Kayali, was arrested

In first, Israel’s Netanyahu says he held call with Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa

Analysis

Why Syria and Iraq are taking different approaches to armed groups

Demonstrators ride through a street while waving Syrian flags

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics

Culture

Syria reopens Aleppo's 1,300-year-old Great Umayyad Mosque after 13 years

A view of the Great Umayyad Mosque during the reopening ceremony, Oct. 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

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - OCTOBER,27 (RUSSIA OUT) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) attend their joint press conference at the Summit on Syria, in Istanbul,Turkey, October,27,2018. Leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Turkey have gathered in Istanbul for a one-day summit on Syrian crisis. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Image

France becomes Turkey’s newest bugbear as Kurds court Macron

Now that US forces are withdrawing from Syria, Turkey has turned its ire to France, which could play a bridging role between the Kurds, Moscow and Washington that could upset Turkish plans.

Iraqi border eyes Iran influence as US plans Syria pullout

After the retaking of IS-held territory across the border and the US announcement it would pull its troops out of Syria, Iraq’s western Anbar is grappling with the prospect of increased Iranian influence amid joblessness, a lack of electricity and reports of cross-border drug smuggling.

EU says it’s premature for Syria to rejoin Arab League

Egypt's efforts to bring Syria back into the Arab League while the country remains unstable are raising concerns in the EU.

Theater returns to Idlib

A group of actors has formed the Syrian Troupe for Theatrical Arts and performed recently for the children in Idlib.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks withh Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the opening ceremony of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, July 11, 2018. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS - RC19136AAEC0

Trump buries the hatchet with Erdogan over Syria

The US troop withdrawal could also lead to a return of the 'art of the deal' with Putin.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu leave a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War, at the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, France, November 11, 2018. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS - RC14BD6A5800

Erdogan gets his wish from Trump in Syria, but now what?

Ankara fears that US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to exit Syria could become a pyrrhic victory, as four main concerns could widen security vulnerabilities and trouble Turkey's president domestically.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani (not seen) after their meeting in Ankara, Turkey, December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1B8B154360

Win for Erdogan, betrayal for the Kurds

With Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, Turkey was handed a victory over the Kurds.

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis looks at U.S. President Donald Trump as he speaks during a meeting with Medal of Honor recipients in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 24, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC143321C440

Mattis exits over Mideast policy split with Trump

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced his resignation the day after President Donald Trump decided to pull US troops out of Syria.

Syria’s internally displaced losing hope of returning home

Feeling that their chances of returning to their hometowns in Syria are dropping, Aleppo’s displaced are seeking stability by preserving their old social ties in a new place.

Will Lebanon’s support of UN compacts benefit Syrian refugees?

Lebanon has voted in favor of two UN resolutions that improve the treatment of refugees and migrants, but the displaced Syrians in the country may not benefit, as they are not classified as refugees or even migrants.

Will US exit from Syria change terrain of Turkey's road map?

President Donald Trump's abrupt announcement that he will pull US troops out of Syria has Turkey reassessing the situation.

Israeli soldiers chat as they stand near the Quneitra crossing in the Golan Heights on the border line between Israel and Syria, October 15, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC1DE3AFB000

Israel concerned over American exit of Syria

US withdrawal from Syria leaves Israel alone in the campaign against Iranian entrenchment there.