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Syria

October 21, 2026

Damascus 11:52 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

Iranian flag flutters on a truck carrying humanitarian aid in Deir al-Zor, Syria September 20, 2017. Picture taken September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1AFCE7F550

Why Iran won’t leave Syria just yet

While Iran and Russia certainly have points of divergence in Syria, their bottom lines will likely continue to intersect, compelling Moscow to manage tension between Iran and Israel.

Turkish soldiers conduct military exercises near the Habur crossing gate between Turkey and Iraq on September 27, 2017 in the Silopi district, southeast Turkey.
Iraqi soldiers on September 26 took part in a Turkish military drill close to the Iraqi border on Tuesday, an AFP photographer said, a day after Iraq's Kurdish region held a vote on independence. / AFP PHOTO / ILYAS AKENGIN (Photo credit should read ILYAS AKENGIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey takes on Kurds in evolving Qandil operation

Although Ankara seems determined to reach the PKK stronghold of Qandil in Iraq, it faces many obstacles to sustaining such an operation against Kurdish militants in the punishing mountain region.

Lebanon’s Hariri talks soccer, Syria in Moscow

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri took advantage of the World Cup to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss bilateral cooperation and the situation in Syria.

Assad says he's open to establishing Iranian bases in Syria

In a wide-ranging interview with Iranian Al-Alam TV, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed Iran's presence in Syria.

Too much at stake for full-on conflict in southern Syria

Prioritizing de-escalation in southern Syria appears to be the regional consensus, but the rebels’ opposition to any deals could lengthen the process.

How Russia-Israel engagement is benefiting Iran

Russia’s engagement with Israel and the United States on Syria does not pose a direct threat against Iran, and it could even turn out to be beneficial for Tehran in several aspects.

Turkey cultivating ever-deeper roots in Syrian territory

Turkey continues setting up parallel structures in Syria, the latest being a branch of Harran University in al-Bab.

Syrians injured in war find hope for employment

The Farah Organization provides vocational education to Syrians in Daraa and Quneitra provinces who have been injured during the civil war and those with congenital deformities.

A picture taken on May 8, 2018 shows vehicles and structures of the US-backed coalition forces in the northern Syrian town of Manbij. - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor with sources on the ground, says around 350 members of the US-led coalition -- mostly American troops -- are stationed around Manbij. (Photo by Delil souleiman / AFP) (Photo credit should read DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Moscow’s take on US-Turkey Manbij deal: Wait and see

Russia is reserving judgment but also keeping a close eye on an agreement between Turkey and the United States regarding the Kurdish People’s Protection Units in Manbij, Syria.

Iranian nationalism grows amid rising US pressure

The US administration and its regional allies' policies toward the Islamic Republic appear to be fueling a rise in nationalist sentiment in Iran.

Syria's not waiting for peace to rebuild, and Iran wants to help

There's a lot of talk about reconstructing Syria, but at the moment, Iran seems to be the only country actively working toward that end.

ERBIL, IRAQ - DECEMBER 15: PKK Supporters demonstrate in front of the UN building during a protest against the Turkish Government in which they called for Abdullah Ocalan to be freed, on December 15, 2017 in Erbil, Iraq. (Photo by Younes Mohammad/Getty Images)

Turkish airstrikes hit Iraq as Erdogan calls for draining 'terror swamp'

Turkey's president is boasting of new anti-terror operations in northern Iraq, but no reports have emerged of a ground offensive and the consensus is that Erdogan’s latest chest-pounding is more about winning votes than fighting Kurdish militants.