Syria’s president since 2000, ruled through the upheaval of civil war and reconstruction efforts
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war in a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin and has agreed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue negotiations at next week’s NATO summit in Ankara. Ukraine has struck oil and naval facilities near St. Petersburg, and Russia has responded with heavy missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.
The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, with broader implications for about 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries. The ruling signals potential deportations and reshapes humanitarian protections in the United States.
Parliament has convened for the first time under a five-year transitional framework after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. The assembly includes appointees by President al-Sharaa and elected members, with debates over representation, a new constitution, and transitional justice shaping the agenda.
The Palestinian technocratic committee administering post-war Gaza has concluded two days of talks in Cyprus on easing humanitarian suffering and planning reconstruction. The NCAG says discussions focused on immediate relief projects, governance, and transparency for donors, with further steps to be announced when conditions are met.
Syria has invited Lebanese figures and met key Lebanese leaders, signalling a shift in Damascus-Beirut relations. Damascus rejects military intervention in Lebanon while seeking economic and security cooperation. Western leaders have floated unprecedented ideas about Syria taking a role in disarming Hezbollah, but Syria’s new government has dismissed such plans.
A blast near Damascus’s Palace of Justice has killed several people and wounded many more. State media says the explosion came from an improvised device planted in a cafe, while authorities pledge accountability. No group has claimed responsibility; analysts warn the attack targets the judiciary amid ongoing trials from the former regime.
Khaled al-Halabi and Musab Abu Rukbah have been found guilty in Vienna of torture and related crimes from 2011-2013 in Raqqa, under universal jurisdiction; both receive eight-year sentences and orders to pay compensation to victims. The trial marks a rare European prosecution of Syrian state agents; prosecutors allege systemic torture.
Authorities have mobilised for a three-day state funeral for Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to attend. Tehran lies in a hush as shops close and airspace tightens. The funeral will travel to Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with a Saudi-led war context looming over the proceedings.
Syria's new authorities have begun prosecuting suspects tied to the Assad regime’s abuses as part of a broader push to address past crimes. Arrests include former security and militia figures, with families and rights groups watching closely for transparency and accountability.
French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Damascus to discuss strengthening bilateral relations as Syria seeks reconstruction after years of civil war. He has met Syrian officials and plans to attend a NATO summit in Ankara, highlighting Europe’s interest in re-engaging with Damascus amid regional stability efforts.
Trump has reiterated his push for the United States to control Greenland, in the context of a NATO summit in Turkey. He says Denmark’s reluctance should not block U.S. security goals, and hints at possible U.S. troop realignments in Europe. Zelenskyy and other leaders are seeking clarity on Ukraine’s security assistance amid continuing war and regional tensions.
The United States has signaled the removal of Syria from its designated state sponsors of terrorism, with President Trump telling Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa that barriers to rebuilding will be removed and US investment will follow. Congress will review for 45 days before any change takes effect, and officials say sanctions relief could accelerate Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration, though experts caution structural reforms are still needed.
A sequence of bombings in central Damascus has killed and wounded civilians, with authorities announcing arrests of suspects and pledging to pursue those behind the attacks as Macron’s visit to Syria unfolds amid security concerns.
Fadel Shaker has been released on bail after surrendering last October. He is under inquiry for multiple allegations including involvement in the Sidon 2013 clashes, financing armed groups and money laundering. The case remains open as investigations continue.
OPCW has restored Syria’s voting rights following a change in circumstances since Assad’s fall in 2024. The council notes progress under the new Syrian authorities who have cooperated with inspectors to destroy components of the chemical weapons program. The move aligns Syria with other states in monitoring and eliminating legacy chemical weapons.
Syrian authorities say they have dismantled an IS-linked cell responsible for two bomb blasts that targeted Damascus during French President Macron’s visit. Macron has pledged to stand with Syria as authorities vow to reveal the cell’s identities and connections after investigations.
Keir Starmer has been awarded France’s Legion d’Honneur by Emmanuel Macron for his leadership in establishing the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine. The honour marks a historic moment as the first UK prime minister to receive the award.
Lebanese authorities have released Fadel Shaker on bail after questions over allegations including army involvement, funding militias, and money laundering related to the Sidon clashes in 2013. Shaker, once a famed singer, has a long history linked to the Al-Assir faction and subsequent legal proceedings.
Syria has stepped up border security following seizures of arms, including missiles and drones bound for Lebanon. The latest operation comes after earlier interceptions and signals a broader push to curb cross-border smuggling amid regional tensions and attempts to influence international ties.
Christians in western Idlib are returning to their villages, reopening churches and repairing homes after years of displacement. Residents describe a sense of belonging returning as they reopen Al-Quniyah and nearby areas, while broader reconstruction faces funding and infrastructure challenges.
Andy Burnham has become Labour leader following a political surge that has installed him as the UK’s prime minister-designate. The transition begins with formalities at Buckingham Palace and culminates in a Downing Street address after polling and a party mandate shaped by recent local elections.
Lebanese President Aoun has travelled to Washington to present a written plan to disarm Hezbollah and secure Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon under a US-backed framework. Trump has pledged support for Lebanon and its army as talks aim to curb Hezbollah and stabilise the border, with pilot zones showing tentative progress amid ongoing Israeli strikes.
Hamas has elected Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed in 2024. The vote follows a wartime leadership transition and reflects tensions between Gaza-based leadership and diaspora factions, with al-Hayya seen as aligned with Tehran and a continuing hardline stance.
Lebanon, Israel, and the United States have established pilot zones in southern Lebanon as part of a framework to manage sovereignty, security, and Hezbollah disarmament. The Lebanese armed forces will clear zones of Hezbollah weapons as Israel withdraws, with verification ongoing and potential expansion dependent on security progress.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem has criticised Lebanon’s participation in US-mediated talks with Israel in Rome and has rejected a June framework that ties Israeli withdrawals to verified disarmament and Lebanese army deployments in pilot zones. Technical teams have met in Rome while Israeli strikes, demolitions and clashes in southern Lebanon are continuing and Beirut is pressing Washington for verification guarantees.
Netanyahu has met with Trump at the White House for discussions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions amid ongoing US-Israeli hostilities. Talks aim to coordinate strategy on Iran, with emphasis on preventing nuclear development and managing wider regional tensions. The week features high-stakes diplomacy and looming electoral tests in both countries.
A truck carrying advanced weapons was seized at the Syria-Iraq border, with authorities saying the shipment was intended to pass through Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump has publicly urged Syria’s new leadership to disarm Hezbollah, citing regional tensions.
Former CIA director Woolsey has died at his Washington home after a stroke, with his wife citing Havana syndrome as a factor in his declining health. He led the CIA from 1993 to 1995 amid post‑Cold War changes and the Aldrich Ames spy case.
The United Nations chief has urged the immediate removal of sanctions on Syria as he concludes a two-day visit, stressing Syria’s crossroads and the need for investment to rebuild infrastructure, institutions and livelihoods. He has met interim leadership, civil society and UN peacekeepers, while calling for international support to accelerate recovery and safe returns for refugees.
Syria says negotiations with Israel are advancing toward a security arrangement that could lead to broader peace without Syria relinquishing the Golan Heights. Damascus and Jerusalem are backed by US diplomacy and regional actors, with both sides avoiding confrontation as they explore a UN-monitored buffer and related accords.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russian forces have used ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea in strikes that hit the Zaporizhstal steel plant and other Ukrainian cities, killing at least seven workers and wounding others. Kyiv has also said Moscow is receiving more North Korean missiles and preparing to deploy more North Korean personnel on Russian territory. Allies are being urged to send more air-defence systems.
Iraq and Turkey have extended and refreshed arrangements for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, aiming to diversify exports and reduce reliance on Hormuz. A one-year extension is set to keep flows through Ceyhan at about 750,000 barrels per day while broader energy cooperation is pursued. Talks include oil, electricity and water resources, with Ankara signaling a longer-term framework.
Kurdistan Regional Government president Barzani has met Syria's leadership in Damascus to discuss strengthening cooperation and the integration of the SDF into state institutions, with language and cultural rights on the agenda amid ongoing negotiations.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
A blast in Jaramana, a Damascus suburb, has wounded several people as authorities investigate an explosive device planted in a minivan taxi. Initial casualty figures vary by source, with officials updating counts as the investigation continues. A group has claimed responsibility, and sectarian tensions in the area remain high.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, establishing a mutual defence framework. The pact treats an armed attack on any member as an attack on all, while stopping short of detailing automatic troop deployment. It builds on prior defense ties and signals a move toward a more regionally driven security order amid heightened Gulf tensions and Iran-Israel dynamics.
Unified Syrian and Lebanese security concerns frame talks on potential cross-border operations. While Washington presses for pressure points, Damascus faces internal and regional costs. A range of options is considered, from border controls to limited troop movements, with Iran’s retaliation potential guiding calculations.
Syria has signed a memorandum with Russia that will hand civilian control of Hmeimim airport and Tartus’ commercial berth to Damascus and convert military areas at both sites into joint Russian–Syrian training centres. The agreement follows 18 months of talks, sets a three‑month transition and preserves Russian access for naval and air transit duties.
Ukrainian and allied officials report that Russia is expanding North Korean military reinforcement while warning of a broader regional threat. A WHO warehouse in Dnipro was destroyed, triggering renewed calls to protect health facilities. Ukrainian drone strikes have intensified, drawing regional casualties and infrastructure damage.
Colombia has recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, joining the United States as the only UN member state to back Israel’s claim. The move follows the new president’s pledge to align more closely with Israel and to restore ties after disagreements with the previous administration. Reactions are swift, with Syria and other regional powers condemning the decision as a breach of international law.
Syria has agreed to surrender its remaining nuclear material to the IAEA under a US-brokered deal. The move is unlikely to resolve core disputes with Israel or advance a broader security agreement, as negotiations remain stalled over territory, withdrawal lines, and other contentious issues.
A Damascus criminal court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al‑Assad, his brother Maher and several senior former officials — including Atef Najib, who is in custody — to death for murders, torture and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s 14‑year conflict. The rulings have been issued in absentia for Assad and Maher, who are in Russia.
Lebanon has passed legislation abolishing the death penalty and replacing it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour. Parliament has also approved a separate general amnesty law that will reduce some long sentences and free inmates detained more than 12 prison years while awaiting trial; the measures respond to severe prison overcrowding and political pressures.
A Damascus court has sentenced Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after a rebel-led rise toppled decades of his family’s rule. He has fled to Moscow, where he is coordinating a new chapter for Syria as international investigations exposed state-led abuses during his reign. The trial marks a decisive moment in a long civil war that drew in regional and global powers.
Lebanon has passed a landmark amnesty law in a show-of-hands vote, replacing death sentences with long prison terms and reducing others. The law aims to ease prison overcrowding but faces opposition from families of soldiers and some factions. Repeal of the death penalty follows years of debate and sectarian pressures.
Israel has stated it will maintain a long-term security presence in southern Lebanon as part of the U.S.-brokered framework to disarm Hezbollah and gradually withdraw Israeli forces. The Lebanese army will deploy in pilot zones, while negotiations in Rome aim to advance the agreement.
Al-Shaibani and Netanyahu have traded statements after Israel attacked the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria, saying there was no Turkish military build-up at the site. Damascus maintains the base remains Syrian, while Ankara denies any Turkish presence. The strike has drawn regional condemnation and heightened tensions among Syria, Turkey and Israel.
Maj. Gen. Adel Issa has been transferred to Syrian custody after Lebanese authorities detained him; he faces charges including intentional homicide, torture leading to death and crimes aimed at inciting civil war. A Damascus referral judge will decide whether to proceed to trial, marking a potential shift in how Lebanon handles figures wanted by Damascus.
Syria's interior ministry has announced an inquiry into the death of 29-year-old Mohammad Ghamira, a former White Helmets volunteer who died after being slapped by a police investigator while in custody. Investigators say he died from complications of a cerebral hemorrhage; the incident has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for accountability in detention facilities across the country.
Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity over the May interception of a flotilla heading to Gaza. The justice ministry has requested Interpol red notices as part of a case against 35 people. Israel denies the allegations and vows to continue actions against Ankara.