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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

A Turkish military vehicle drives at Manbij countryside, Syria December 29, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC11D6A7B320

Turkey relying on events to turn tide against Kurdish YPG

A Turkish military operation in northern Syria does not appear to be in the cards, but Ankara is determined to use the threat of one to curb Kurdish aspirations.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) walks after Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence of collusion between U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia in the 2016 election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RC12779FD760

House Democrats skeptical of Trump’s Golan Heights shake up

Republicans want to codify President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights into law, but even the staunchest pro-Israel Democrats have reservations.

A Turkish army howitzer fires from a military post on the Turkish-Syrian border in Hatay province, Turkey February 26, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1DA3686FA0

Syrian Kurds remain wary of US plan for Turkish safe zone

While the United States is pushing for a safe zone along the Turkish border in Syria to protect both sides, analysts warn that meeting their conflicting needs may prove impossible.

U.S. President Donald Trump embraces Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a ceremony to sign a proclamation recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1ADDE53E00

New heights of irresponsibility over the Golan

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not care that recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could destroy all chances for peace between Israel and the Arab world.

American soldiers stand near military trucks, at al-Omar oil field in Deir Al Zor, Syria March 23, 2019. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC168E86AEF0

Pentagon sustains budget for arming local anti-IS forces amid US pullout

The Donald Trump administration's envoy for Syria issues said the United States is keeping “very limited” numbers of troops in the country as the Pentagon continues to build up the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

A soldier stands guard near a poster of Syria's President Bashar al Assad and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during the re-opening of the road between Homs and Hama in Rastan, Syria, June 6, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC153557C500

Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments

Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy.

Trump's Golan Heights decision deepens rift with Turkey

The list of disagreements between the United States and Turkey is growing with Washington's decision to recognize the Golan Heights as belonging to Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a proclamation recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights as he is applauded by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others during a ceremony to in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC13B9E76220

Russia weighs in on Trump’s Golan Heights decision

The US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights makes Moscow consider its own balance sheet on the issue.

A general view of the city of Afrin, Syria March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1EB1FC27E0

Kurds in Afrin celebrate Nowruz despite ban

Kurds in Syria’s northern city of Afrin, joined by internally displaced people, celebrated Nowruz despite a ban imposed by armed opposition factions.

A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) holds a weapon in the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer - RC1A73E73120

SDF commander lays out conditions for reconciliation with Damascus

In an exclusive interview, Mazlum Kobane warns of a “second great war” if Turkey intervenes militarily; State Department officials explain consequences of "undisciplined armed groups" in Iraq.

Pro-Kurd protesters take part in a demonstration in support of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan in Strasbourg, France, February 16, 2019. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler - RC138B54C570

Is the PKK lying low as elections approach in Turkey?

Turkish officials credit ramped up security operations for a noticeable decline in activity by the Kurdistan Workers Party, but some suspect the organization is intentionally maintaining a low-profile in the lead up to local elections.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S., March 1, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas - RC1CC97DE280

Republicans push to lock in Trump’s shift on Golan Heights

After President Donald Trump announced his intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Republicans are pushing a bill that would make it permanent US policy.