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
Norwegian Diplomat in Israel Doubts Settlements Can Be Stopped After years of involvement in the Middle East, Norwegian Ambassador to Israel Svein Sevje is concerned that he is more worried about the future of Israel than Israelis are. Palestine
Is Syria War Additional Spark To Alevi Protests in Turkey? The war in Syria and the fallout from the Gezi Park demonstrations may be revealing a fault line in Turkish politics. Syria
Iran’s Foreign Minister Backs US-Russia Plan for Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that if there is a chance for peace in Syria, “we have to grab it.” Syria
Russia's Mideast Role A Plus for Palestinians Active Russian involvement in the Middle East will be welcomed by Palestinians, as they seek to counter Israel's hold on US policy. Palestine
US-Russia Agreement Gives Hope on Syria The US-Russian understanding on Syria presents a number of challenges but also positive opportunities. Lebanon
Syria Crisis Prompts Turkey's New Openings to Its Alevis Turkey’s new liberalization package for its largest religious minority is linked to Syria. Syria
Obama’s Syria Policy Has Potential For Breakthrough on War Al-Monitor’s analysis and coverage of US policy toward Syria. Syria
Syria War Paralyzes Region's Economies General instability in post-Arab Spring Middle Eastern countries, along with ongoing conflicts, has left the region's economic situation particularly dismal. Lebanon
Court Case Reveals Turkey Arms Flow To Syrian Rebels The transfer of Turkish weapons to the Free Syrian Army is documented in a court case in Hatay. Syria
Turkey’s Syria Border on Edge A first-hand account of Turkey’s Syrian border suggests that Turkey continues to provide sanctuary for both rebels fighting the Syrian government and Kurdish forces alike. Syria
Iran Looks to Iraq for Syria Support Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Qods Force, has been seeking assistance from Iraqi Shiite forces to provide support to the Syrian regime but without much apparent success. Iraq
The Myth of Israeli Self-Reliance Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israel relies only on itself contradicts Israel's military history, throughout which Israel has needed American arms shipments. Israel
