Syrians in Damascus suburb in fear after sectarian violence

The Revolutionary Guard has distanced itself from a recent blast amid accusations that the cargo involved contained military-grade materials associated with Iran's missile program. This distancing comes as criticism grows over conflicting official accounts and the government's response following the disaster. The situation highlights tensions surrounding accountability and transparency in the aftermath of the incident. Full Article

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is scheduled to meet with senior US State Department officials in New York to seek a definitive roadmap for permanent sanctions relief amid ongoing economic distress due to years of war and sanctions. This meeting marks the first time US officials will engage with Shibani on US soil, following Syria's response to US conditions for partial sanctions relief, which include disarming chemical weapons and excluding foreigners from governance. Damascus aims...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to secure victory in the Gaza war and the return of hostages during a video statement on Memorial Day, emphasizing the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and civilians. As sirens marked a moment of silence for the dead, Netanyahu and Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir reaffirmed their commitment to intensify efforts to retrieve the remaining 58 hostages from Gaza, with the conflict holding renewed significance since the Hamas attack...

In an interview with The Media Line, Gen. Amir Avivi indicated a possible Israeli role in a chemical strike on Iranian rocket fuel, emphasizing it was a planned attack. He cautioned against trusting Iran in upcoming US-Iran negotiations, urging President Trump to decisively confront Iran's nuclear ambitions and proposing a significant airstrike to cripple its military response. Regarding the Gaza conflict, Avivi reaffirmed Israel's goals to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of hostages, stressing...

Fourteen people, including seven Druze fighters, were killed in sectarian clashes near Damascus, triggered by a controversial audio recording deemed blasphemous. The Syrian interior ministry condemned the violence and pledged to hold accountable those responsible, claiming the authorities bear "full responsibility" for the incident. Amid escalating tensions, local Druze leaders criticized the government's handling of the situation and expressed fears of further conflict in Jaramana, where security forces have previously clashed with local armed groups....

In light of Iran's ongoing nuclear ambitions and negotiations with the U.S., the question of how to address Iran's behavior remains pressing. The author reflects on the 2015 nuclear deal, which, if maintained, could have provided clarity on Iran's intentions, but was abandoned by Trump in 2018, leaving uncertainties about Iran's future actions. Current discussions about a new deal seem unlikely to yield positive results, as Iran may be using the negotiations to further...