Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran declares 'existential war' as US strikes reach near Tehran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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. Syria
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. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Kremlin confirms S-400 talks with Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Is Turkey refusing to register new Syrian refugees? Istanbul denies claims from Human Rights Watch that Turkey has stopped registering Syrian refugees. Syria
Syrians in opposition-held areas near Aleppo obtain new IDs With Turkey’s help, al-Bab’s local council started issuing new IDs to Syrians who had lost them in the war, a move that will soon be applicable in the entire Euphrates Shield area. Syria
Turkey makes payout to families of FSA fighters killed in Afrin operation The Turkish government has paid the families of Free Syrian Army militants killed in Operation Olive Branch a death gratuity, though the families of those Syrians killed in other operations are still waiting for aid. Syria
Iran maneuvers to protect its interests in Syria Iran’s strategy on Syria enters a more proactive phase as the Islamic Republic maneuvers to keep its interests, including its partnership with Russia, intact. Syria
Why Syria's Kurds are inclined to negotiate with Damascus As the Syrian regime regains control of more areas from opposition forces, and given US claims of a desire to withdraw troops, Syria's Kurds seem to be inclined to engage in talks with Damascus. Syria
Day trippers flock to Afrin’s orchards as Aleppo restores security As stability returns to Afrin, locals are flocking back to the area's peaceful nature and archaeological attractions faster than the tourist industry can reopen to benefit from renewed tourism. Syria
Israel detects Russian shift on Iran's presence in Syria Israeli military sources sense that President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin and even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wouldn't object to Israel pushing Iran out of Syria. Israel
Lebanese divided over efforts to repatriate Syrian refugees In the absence of a unified government plan ensuring the displaced Syrians’ return to their country, Hezbollah moved to facilitate the return, which some parties welcomed while others prefer the Lebanese state take charge of this dossier. Lebanon
Prisoners exchanged for evacuees from pro-regime towns in Syrian north As part of a deal between the Syrian regime and the opposition fighters in northern Syria, thousands of government soldiers and civilians have been evacuated from the pro-regime towns of al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib province in return for the regime's release of several batches of its detainees. Syria
Woman elected to head opposition council in western Aleppo The new leader of the opposition council in western Aleppo plans to implement projects to benefit women and develop their potential. Syria
Israel helps White Helmets, but rejects Syrian refugees The evacuation of White Helmets members and their families from Syria was an admirable gesture by Israel, but hardly enough to compensate for the expulsion of Syrians from the Golan Heights after the 1967 war. Israel
Russia zeroes in on returning Christians to Syrian homes Moscow is playing up the plight of displaced Christians to encourage Western states to contribute to Syria's reconstruction. Syria