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Syria

July 16, 2026

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A man holds a Syrian flag across the street from the White House after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Donald Trump at White House in Washington, on Nov. 10, 2025.

Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know

The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) welcomes France's President Emmanuel Macron for a joint press conference in Damascus on July 7, 2026.

Explainer

How Macron seeks to carve out France's role in new Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron became the first Western leader to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, showcasing Paris' support for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa while seeking to secure a share of the country's emerging reconstruction market.

Latest News

US to drop Syria from terror blacklist

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) on the sidelines of the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, on July 8, 2026.

Explainer

French energy, shipping giants explore Syria deals during Macron visit

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) shakes hands with France's President Emmanuel Macron following a joint press conference in Damascus on July 7, 2026.

Macron's Syria visit eyes to boost France's economic role: What to know

Ludovic MARIN / AFP via Getty Images

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

Another international player gets involved in Syrian Kurdish rapprochement

A British delegation recently visited the Kurdish region in Syria and met with rival Kurdish parties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan taste ice-cream as they visit the MAKS 2019 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, August 27, 2019. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1C56375CC0

Will Putin's 'ice cream diplomacy' with Erdogan help resolve Idlib?

In Moscow, ice cream may have been the only thing Erdogan got for free from Putin.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint news conference following their talks on the sidelines of the MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky outside Moscow, Russia, August 27, 2019. Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via REUTERS - RC1D82A22C80

Putin backs US-brokered security zone in Syria during Erdogan's Moscow visit

Moscow has put its support behind a US-brokered security zone along the border between Turkey and Syria.

Art imitates life and death in war-ravaged Afrin

Two Syrian artists, a sculptor and a photographer, agree that the tragedies of war have given them rich fodder for art and opportunities to speak out for life and human dignity.

A Syrian army soldier smokes cigarette as he sits on a military vehicle in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC13C4D5FE50

How can Russia, Turkey reach deal on Idlib?

In the run-up to the Turkish president's visit to Moscow, few options may be on the table with regard to Syria's Idlib.

Israeli soldier gather in a field near the border between Israel and Lebanon at its Israel side December 9, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC16DC63CFD0

Who benefits in Israel from increasing security tension?

Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the head of the Blue and White party, Benny Gantz, both are gaining from increased security tensions.

Hunt for Iraqi IS leaders continues amid heightened secrecy

The Islamic State has employed higher levels of secrecy about its commanders since 2018, leading to greater confusion about its hierarchy. The search nevertheless continues for its commanders, most of whom are believed to be of Iraqi origin but are currently in Syria.

Turkish defense minister claims pivotal role in Syria

Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has gotten deeply involved in tactical and operational matters and anxiety is growing in the Turkish military and the ruling party that Akar is taking the reins in Syria.

Syrian refugee Adel Bazmawi, 21, a co-founder and coach of the Syrian Sports Academy, works at a restaurant in Egypt's second city of Alexandria on January 4, 2018.
The academy is squeezed into just 30 square metres (320 square feet), in a modestly equipped hall at the bottom of a residential building in the Alexandria neighbourhood. The academy's founders began the project in 2016 with just 3,000 Egyptian pounds (about $430 at the time).
/ AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED

Syrians in Egypt fear new restrictions signal worse to come

Many Egyptians believe their government and its supporters are behind the latest xenophobic campaign targeting Syrian refugees in the country, including attacks on their businesses.

Houses on the Lebanese side of the border between Israel and Lebanon are seen from the Israel side, August 26, 2019 REUTERS Amir Cohen - RC158D5A4E70

Israel zeroes in on Iran’s Soleimani

Recent Israeli attacks in Syria and Lebanon sent a clear message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: Syria won’t be reconstructed as long as it harbors Iranian proxies.

Turkish soldiers stand on a watch tower at the Atmeh crossing on the Syrian-Turkish border, as seen from the Syrian side, in Idlib governorate, Syria May 31, 2019. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1525F30880

Why Iran has been quiet when it comes to Syria's Idlib, safe zone

Iran has been careful not to antagonize Turkey while also opposing US-Turkish agreements on Syria.

Why is Khan Sheikhoun important for Syrian regime?

Syrian regime forces took full control over Khan Sheikhoun and besieged some opposition-held areas from which a large number of fighters withdrew.