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
Ayatollah Khamenei, Assad spoke of reforms Iran's former ambassador to Syria conceded in an interview that the Syrian government made mistakes in the first stages of the Syrian protests and revealed that Iran's supreme leader wrote a letter to Syria's president urging reforms. Syria
Kerry says 'indiscriminate' Syria chemical attack 'undeniable' US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the delayed access for UN inspectors to the chemical attack sits is due to the Syrian Government shelling the areas in an attempt to destroy evidence. Syria
Beyond US strikes, signs of intensifying UN diplomacy on Syria Obama administration officials have said that the goal of military action in Syria would be to uphold the universal prohibition of chemical weapons and not regime change, citing that the conflict must be resolved politically. Syria
Obama makes case for 'decisive' but 'limited' action on Syria President Obama has said the military action he is considering for Syria will not deeply involve the US in the conflict, but will "have a positive impact on our national security over the long term." Syria
Arsal clashes a threat to Lebanon's future The outcome of the clashes in Arsal between the Lebanese army and fundamentalists supporting the Syrian opposition may hold the key to how Lebanon can resolve its political crises. Lebanon
Does Iran benefit from Gaza crisis? Iran reconsiders Hamas ties; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fixation on Iran may have distracted him from the threat from Hamas; Asmaa Al-Ghoul reports from Gaza; the Islamic State offers no support for Hamas. Qatar
Obama cabinet briefs Congress on Syria, as UK participation looks in doubt Senior Obama administration national security officials will brief lawmakers on the chemical weapons attack in an unclassified phone call. Syria
Kerry: World 'watching to see if Syria can get away with it' President Obama has said that he is consulting lawmakers over military options in Syria and that the US will only take limited military action that will not involve boots on the ground. Syria
Obama tasks Congress with Syria vote: 'We should have this debate' Obama has decided to seek congressional approval for limited airstrikes on Syria to punish and deter the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Syria
Russia urges Syria to surrender chemical arms to avert strikes Russia announced that it has given a proposal to the Syrian Government which would require the Syrian regime to place their chemical weapons under international control and allow their subsequent destruction. Syria
Obama, Putin previously discussed plan to secure Syria chemical arms US and Russian officials confirmed that discussions over securing Syria's chemical arms had been talking place for months before the alleged August chemical attack. Syria
Ex IDF intel chief: Plan to remove Syria chemical arms 'important test' Former Israeli Defense Forces intelligence chief Amos Yadlin has said that the removal of chemical weapons from Syria with out US military force would be a "genuine achievement for President Obama." Syria