On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on Iran in his Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump, while the US leader is more likely to want to discuss Lebanon and Syria. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says it doesn’t seek to resume negotiations with Washington Sharaa says Syria seeks security deal with Israel; Red Sea shipping slows after Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Kremlin confirms S-400 talks with Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Hollande-PYD meeting challenges Erdogan French President Francois Hollande, by hosting at Elysee Palace two Kurdish female leaders from Kobani, sends a strong message to Ankara. Syria
Bennett, Liberman battle for defense portfolio The next Israeli defense minister, be it Moshe Ya'alon, Avigdor Liberman or Naftali Bennett, will have to cope, together with new IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, with a new reality in which Hezbollah targets Israel from the Syrian border. Israel
Damascus faces continual power outages Power outages in Damascus are unbearable, yet the government just directs blame at the opposition, failing to provide solutions. Syria
Syrian Turkmens are forgotten ally in war against Islamic State Syrian Turkmens say they can play key role in fighting IS in northern Syria. Syria
Delay of French-Saudi military aid to Lebanon a mystery US military aid has filled a crucial gap in Lebanon as a Saudi-French aid package has been delayed for unknown reasons. Saudi Arabia
Hamas condemns killing of Jordanian pilot Hamas speaks out in support of Jordan following the Islamic State’s brutal killing of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh and also looks to repair relations with the Hashemite kingdom following a tense period. Palestine
Hezbollah fears being squeezed from Syrian-Israeli borders With Jabhat al-Nusra controlling the southern border area of Syria and reports on cooperation between the group and Israel, the Syrian-Israeli border has become an area of concern for Hezbollah and Iran. Israel
Shiite militias mixed blessing in Iraq, Syria US experts warn about the “Hezbollization” of Iraq and Syria but there is little alternative now to Iranian-backed Shiite militias to push back the group that calls itself the Islamic State. Iraq
Obama: 'Iran’s program has not advanced' US allies puzzled by March deadline for consideration of Senate sanctions bill; Iran’s gesture to Saudi Arabia; Iran’s man in Beirut; Erdogan’s anti-Western pivot; Aleppo’s fuel shortage; Israel reconciling to Hamas? Saudi Arabia
Congress to scrutinize Obama’s Islamic State strategy A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 9. Iraq
Aleppo's displaced find refuge in Kurdish regions The residents of Aleppo are fleeing the regime’s shelling toward the north, mainly to Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood, where the local council tries its best to meet their needs. Syria
Syrian Kurdish journalists confront danger to report on war Kurdish journalists talked to Al-Monitor about their experiences on the battlefield in Syria's northeastern provinces. Syria
