TOPIC

/ location

Syria

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Syria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Damascus

Head of State

President Bashar al-Assad

Head of Government

Prime Minister Hussein Arnous

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

1 hour agovideocam

Middle East

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

9 Dec 2025 - 8:44AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

2 Dec 2025 - 3:07PM

Middle East

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

1 Dec 2025 - 1:09AM

Pope Leo XIV and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun shake hands as they meet at the Presidential Palace during Leo’s first apostolic journey, in Baabda, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

China-Middle East relations

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

30 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

18 Nov 2025 - 2:19AMvideocam

Middle East

Syria detains security forces over sectarian violence that killed hundreds

The arrests follow a July rampage in Sweida where government fighters effectively sided with Bedouin clans against the Druze.

17 Nov 2025 - 1:35PM

Syrian security forces after clashes between government troops and local Druze fighters in the southern city of Sweida in July. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

11 Nov 2025 - 1:50PM

Donald Trump

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

Middle East

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after removal from terror blacklist

Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted Assad, has been working to present a moderate image, in a break from his group’s violent past.

9 Nov 2025 - 7:51AMvideocam

Syria’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa speaks during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Photo: AP

Turkey

In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

Once censured by the West, Ankara is now the go-to go-between for Washington, Europe and Damascus in a fast-changing region.

8 Nov 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump give a thumbs up at the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13. Photo: AFP

Middle East

US accuses Iran of plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico

The Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force was allegedly behind a plan to assassinate diplomat Einat Kranz-Neiger.

8 Nov 2025 - 2:07AMvideocam

Germany

Germany arrests Syrian suspected of plotting ‘jihadist’ attack

Interior minister says Germany’s terrorist threat remains heightened, though the suspect’s activities were ‘detected in time’.

3 Nov 2025 - 1:19PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order

Damascus views engagement with Beijing as a pathway to legitimacy, leverage – and the US$216 billion it needs to rebuild.

1 Nov 2025 - 1:30PM

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (right) disembarks from a plane during a state visit to Russia on October 15. He is expected to visit Beijing this month. Photo: Syrian Arab News Agency/AFP

Israel

Israel air strikes in Lebanon continue despite Gaza ceasefire deal

The Lebanese president condemned the ‘heinous Israeli aggression’ that came just hours after the US-backed Gaza truce took effect.

11 Oct 2025 - 3:32PM

Lebanese soldiers walk next to a destroyed digger following an overnight Israeli strike on Msayleh in southern Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Syria to select post-Assad parliamentary members in process deemed undemocratic

A third of the members are appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has said it is impossible to hold direct elections now.

5 Oct 2025 - 11:39AM

Britain

UK police shoot dead 1 in Manchester synagogue terror attack

Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by officers, and two other men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of acts of terrorism.

3 Oct 2025 - 10:50PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu defies UN walkout, vows to ‘finish the job’ in Gaza

The speech was given amid ICC accusations and a genocide case, leading many delegates to walk out just as Israel’s leader was about to speak.

26 Sep 2025 - 10:40PM

United Nations General Assembly

First Syrian president in nearly 60 years arrives in US for UN meeting

Ahmad al-Sharaa has sought to restore ties with Arab countries and the West since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

22 Sep 2025 - 7:08AM

Middle East

7 killed in Aleppo bombardment, Syria blames Kurdish-led forces

A semi-autonomous Kurdish administration, with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, controls swathes of a region still divided by fighting.

21 Sep 2025 - 9:56PM

Israel-Gaza war

Turkey fears becoming Israel’s next target after Qatar strike

Ankara’s defence ministry said Israel’s escalating aggression would ‘drag the entire region into disaster’.

14 Sep 2025 - 2:46PMvideocam

Turkish and Russian soldiers patrol Rumaylan, Syria’s northeastern Hasakeh province, in 2023. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | Kim Jong-un in Beijing shows why it is good to have nuclear bombs

The essential difference between the North Korean leader and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is that between the haves and the have-nots of the ultimate weapon.

7 Sep 2025 - 9:00PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing on September 4, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israel’s annexation plans fuel fears of Palestinians’ annihilation

What is happening in Gaza is tantamount to ‘the final solution’, an academic says, as Israel also plans to annex most of the West Bank.

6 Sep 2025 - 4:00PM

Germany

Suspect arrested in Germany for knife attack on US man

A 21-year-old Syrian man has been detained over the assault on a Dresden tram, which the US embassy in Berlin condemned as ‘brutal’.

27 Aug 2025 - 11:01AM

Hong Kong society

Hongkongers urged to avoid travel to Iran, Israel despite risk downgrade

Authorities lower outbound travel alert for both countries from black to red, warning current risk levels remain ‘a significant threat’.

18 Aug 2025 - 11:49PM

Demonstrators gather in Tel Aviv, Israel, demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. Photo: AP

Middle East

Syria’s President Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

Turkey and the US back the deal to integrate Syria’s oil-rich northeast into the state and want to resolve the issue peacefully, Sharaa said.

18 Aug 2025 - 2:42AM

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace in Damascus. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Syria steps back from Paris meetings with Kurdish-led SDF

In March, the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal with the new Islamist-led government in Damascus to join Syria’s state institutions.

9 Aug 2025 - 8:55PM

Middle East

Fresh clashes in Syria as al-Sharaa’s interim government flails

The government is struggling to maintain a ceasefire in Sweida after clashes between Druze factions, while reintegrating the US-backed Kurdish SDF.

3 Aug 2025 - 9:05PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Syria

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

Syria detains security forces over sectarian violence that killed hundreds

The arrests follow a July rampage in Sweida where government fighters effectively sided with Bedouin clans against the Druze.

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after removal from terror blacklist

Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted Assad, has been working to present a moderate image, in a break from his group’s violent past.

In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

Once censured by the West, Ankara is now the go-to go-between for Washington, Europe and Damascus in a fast-changing region.

US accuses Iran of plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico

The Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force was allegedly behind a plan to assassinate diplomat Einat Kranz-Neiger.

Germany arrests Syrian suspected of plotting ‘jihadist’ attack

Interior minister says Germany’s terrorist threat remains heightened, though the suspect’s activities were ‘detected in time’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order

Damascus views engagement with Beijing as a pathway to legitimacy, leverage – and the US$216 billion it needs to rebuild.

Israel air strikes in Lebanon continue despite Gaza ceasefire deal

The Lebanese president condemned the ‘heinous Israeli aggression’ that came just hours after the US-backed Gaza truce took effect.

Syria to select post-Assad parliamentary members in process deemed undemocratic

A third of the members are appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has said it is impossible to hold direct elections now.

UK police shoot dead 1 in Manchester synagogue terror attack

Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by officers, and two other men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of acts of terrorism.

Netanyahu defies UN walkout, vows to ‘finish the job’ in Gaza

The speech was given amid ICC accusations and a genocide case, leading many delegates to walk out just as Israel’s leader was about to speak.

First Syrian president in nearly 60 years arrives in US for UN meeting

Ahmad al-Sharaa has sought to restore ties with Arab countries and the West since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

7 killed in Aleppo bombardment, Syria blames Kurdish-led forces

A semi-autonomous Kurdish administration, with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, controls swathes of a region still divided by fighting.

Turkey fears becoming Israel’s next target after Qatar strike

Ankara’s defence ministry said Israel’s escalating aggression would ‘drag the entire region into disaster’.

My Take | Kim Jong-un in Beijing shows why it is good to have nuclear bombs

The essential difference between the North Korean leader and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is that between the haves and the have-nots of the ultimate weapon.

Israel’s annexation plans fuel fears of Palestinians’ annihilation

What is happening in Gaza is tantamount to ‘the final solution’, an academic says, as Israel also plans to annex most of the West Bank.

Suspect arrested in Germany for knife attack on US man

A 21-year-old Syrian man has been detained over the assault on a Dresden tram, which the US embassy in Berlin condemned as ‘brutal’.

Hongkongers urged to avoid travel to Iran, Israel despite risk downgrade

Authorities lower outbound travel alert for both countries from black to red, warning current risk levels remain ‘a significant threat’.

Syria’s President Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

Turkey and the US back the deal to integrate Syria’s oil-rich northeast into the state and want to resolve the issue peacefully, Sharaa said.

Syria steps back from Paris meetings with Kurdish-led SDF

In March, the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal with the new Islamist-led government in Damascus to join Syria’s state institutions.

Fresh clashes in Syria as al-Sharaa’s interim government flails

The government is struggling to maintain a ceasefire in Sweida after clashes between Druze factions, while reintegrating the US-backed Kurdish SDF.

Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order