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
Where Does Erdogan Stand on Syria? After meeting with US President Barack Obama, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his views on the Geneva process have changed and evolved. Syria
Border Arrests Reveal Disunity, Conflict Among Syrian Kurds The Democratic Union Party's security forces have arrested 70 members of a rival Kurdish party trying to enter Syria from Iraq. Iraq
Diplomacy Over Military Action: The Path to Peace in Syria The United States should engage regional powers on a diplomatic solution and not arm the rebels or establish a no-fly zone. Syria
Palestinian Refugees From Syria Especially Vulnerable Palestinian refugees from Syria often fall outside of the international safety net, which is already strained because of the war. Jordan
Syrian Cannibalism Video Reminds Iraqis of Zarqawi A video showing a Syrian rebel commander eating the heart of a regime soldier has dealt a blow to the opposition. Iraq
Geneva II Is Just a Start for Syria What are the conditions for the success of the Geneva II conference? Lebanon
Obama Gets Erdogan On Board To 'Destination Geneva II' In his Washington visit, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was given no choice but to ride US President Barack Obama’s bandwagon to Syria. Syria
Israel Rethinks Assumptions About Syria The sudden change in assumptions on the Syrian war should invite us to wonder about the basis on which they were made. Israel
Iran Key to Success of Geneva II Talks on Syria The United States should invite Iran to the Geneva II talks on Syria and consider it a start for a more expansive regional dialogue. Israel
The Long Uncertain Road Back to Geneva If it happens, the Geneva II Conference on Syria will only be a start in bringing peace to Syria. Syria
Jabhat Al-Nusra Shows Its Cracks What appears to be divisions among the leadership of terrorist allies Jabhat al-Nusra and al-Qaeda in Iraq may signal greater difficulties in controlling radical jihadists in Syria. Iraq
The Dangerous Simplicity Of the Interventionists Advocacy for military intervention in Syria may be well-intentioned, but can it achieve the true objectives? Syria
