Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival The country welcomed 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the figure recorded a year earlier, as the government pushes to reconnect to the world and promote tourism as a pillar of economic recovery. Syria
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
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
Trump and Macron seek common ground on Syria, terrorism Despite tensions over the Paris climate change accord, the two leaders have common interests in the Middle East. Syria
Pentagon braces for Islamic State insurgency after Mosul The top US commander in Iraq and Syria warned of a hard-fought insurgency but ruled out a US troop surge. Iraq
Dueling critics find US, Russia too cozy — or too far apart The US and Russian presidents covered a lot of ground — including the conflict in Syria — during their unexpectedly long meeting last week, and while the countries’ future relations remain uncertain, the men agreed to disagree on some fronts. Syria
Syrians catch breath as post-IS Dabiq takes shape With the help of its local council, aspects of a normal life are gradually returning to Syria’s Dabiq following the Islamic State's expulsion from the town in late 2016. Syria
Mosul liberation will not be end of IS History has proven that militarily defeating extremist groups such as al-Qaeda does not mean the end of their ideology, and it seems the Islamic State will not stop at the Mosul liberation. Iraq
Tillerson: US could boost cooperation with Russia on Syria The potential for deeper US-Russian cooperation in Syria will be a key topic of discussion when US President Donald Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. Syria
Mob justice reveals anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey Two violent incidents on the same day have ignited a storm of anti-Syrian rhetoric over Turkish social media, exposing the fear and suspicion still prevalent in the world's largest host of Syrian refugees. Syria
The Kremlin’s contradictory behavior in Syria Russia and Turkey consider establishing a military base in Idlib, Syria, as Moscow encourages the Collective Security Treaty Organization to deploy peacekeepers. Syria
Israel anticipates Raqqa’s fall For Israel, the regional power balance after the end of the Islamic State could actually mean a Hezbollah reinforced by the Lebanese army, with Iran present on the Golan Heights front. Israel
US escalation in Syria strengthens Iran-Russia partnership The race to recapture eastern Syria may soon lead to direct confrontation between the US-led coalition and Syria’s Russian and Iranian allies. Syria
Rethinking Russia’s Mideast ambitions Iran and Russia make for surprising allies in the Middle East, but ultimately Russia values its own interests over any alliance. Syria
Syrian music lives in the streets of Beirut Global Week for Syria in Lebanon brings together Syrian musicians, as well as refugee children who take to the streets to sing. Lebanon
