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Syria

October 21, 2026

Damascus 12:32 am

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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

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium July 11, 2018.Tatyana Zenkovich/Pool via REUTERS?? - RC13B175F540

Turkey irate over US obstructions in Syria

Ankara's frustration with the United States continues to grow as Washington takes yet another step that Turkish officials believe was designed to hamper them from unleashing the Turkish military against the Kurdish People's Protection Units in Syria along Turkey's border.

Syrian rebel-fighters from the National Liberation Front (NLF) inspect the rubble of a building destroyed by a reported air strike from the day before in the rebel-held al-Rashidin district of western Aleppo's countryside near Idlib province, on November 26, 2018. - Air strikes hit the edges of Syria's last major rebel stronghold west of Aleppo on November 25, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said a day after an alleged toxic attack on the regime-held city. The SOHR said regime

Turkey, Russia, Iran convene in Astana for Syria talks

The 11th Astana meeting between Moscow, Tehran and Ankara reportedly focused on maintaining the cease-fire in Idlib as flare-ups threaten to ignite the area.

Why Ghouta refugees in Afrin refused to send their children to school

The displaced from eastern Ghouta protested a decision by Afrin’s local council to ban schools set up by them, by refusing to send their children to mixed schools.

Iran moves forward with railway link to Syria via Iraq

Iran is building a 20-mile stretch of railway that will connect railways throughout Iraq to neighboring Syria.

Clothing drive in Saraqeb revives community spirit

A group of young volunteers in Saraqeb organized donations of spare clothing to distribute to internally placed Syrians and others who might be in need during the coming winter.

Syria has high hopes for ties with Crimea — maybe too high?

Damascus expects to take part in Crimea’s Yalta International Economic Forum next year, aiming to boost trade and economic relations.

Syrian schoolchildren walk as U.S. troops patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC11C2532E70

Can observation posts calm Turkish-Kurdish tensions on Syria border?

Observation posts will soon dot the Syrian-Turkish border to calm the tension between the US-allied People's Protection Units and Turkish forces.

When Yara met Fadi: Gazans help couple pick up pieces after Israeli strike

"I will wait for you even if it takes 60 years," a young man from Gaza promised his Syrian fiancee before an Israeli airstrike delayed their long-awaited marriage.

USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group

"Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place.

Intel: How Russia, Iran are facilitating illicit oil shipments to Syria (according to the US)

Palestinian refugees in Syria hope to return to Yarmouk

While some Palestinian refugees are hopeful than they will return to the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, others are less confident in the Syrian government's facilitation of the process.

Erdogan vows to crush US allies in Syria

The Turkish president weighs military options to defeat what he calls a “terror outfit” in Syria.