American diplomat, private equity investor, founder and former chairman of Colony Capital
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.
The government has signaled it may extend talks on weapon handover to state control beyond the September deadline as negotiations with Iran-aligned factions continue. Talks are ongoing, with mediation from Coordination Framework leaders, and the aim remains to restrict weapons to the state while avoiding a confrontation.
Israel has attacked a northern Syrian air base, citing Turkey’s possible movement into the area. Barrack has described the strike as an “unnecessary escalation” and suggested it might be aimed at baiting Turkey. Israeli officials deny the claim and warn against Turkish deployment. The United States and Syria are calling for de-escalation while regional actors reassess their positions.
Syria has signaled it plans to renew dialogue with Israel on a security deal that would end attacks and permit Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory. Damascus says negotiations are frozen but expected to restart as Washington presses for a deal. Syria emphasizes its goal of regional stability and ceasefire, while Israel faces international pressure amid recent airbase strikes.
Barrack’s comments about Israel’s status over the Golan Heights have sparked renewed international criticism and intensified debate over U.S. policy dating back to 2019. The ambassador says the remarks describe historical status, not UN positions, and emphasizes that ongoing negotiations shape the region’s future.
The United States has removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list, and has also delisted the al-Nusrah Front. Damascus says the move unlocks investment and accelerates reconstruction as it seeks to reintegrate with the global economy. Washington frames the step as a path to stability, while analysts caution continued regional risks.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have dissolved as an independent military force and are being integrated into the Syrian army, ending decades of autonomous operation. The move follows an agreement with Damascus and U.S. backing for phased integration across army and security structures, aiming to unify command and restore state control over borders and resources.
The US Treasury has placed Golden Global Bank and two subsidiaries on its sanctions list, accusing the Istanbul-based lender of moving tens of millions of dollars for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and enabling Tehran to shift oil revenue through Turkey. The bank has denied the allegations and said it will pursue legal action; Washington says the move severs the institution from the US financial system.
Iraq and Turkey have agreed to establish full state authority in Sinjar and end the presence of outlawed armed elements. Turkish forces will hand over a Bashiqa-Zilkan base to Baghdad under an agreed mechanism, with a timetable not specified. The pact follows talks between Erdogan and al-Zaidi at the UN General Assembly, and aligns with earlier Kurdish armed groups’ disarmament efforts.
National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi has described talks among Syria, Iraq, and the United States on the fate of prisoners linked to ISIS. Iraq refuses handing 4,000 Syrians to Syria; about 50 Syrians repatriated; 400 high‑level ISIS detainees remain in Iraq. U.S. aid requests and rights groups’ concerns accompany the update as the last U.S. troops left Iraq last month.
The Houthis have encircled Taiz, cutting it off from supply routes and risking civilians as UN rights chief calls for aid access. The attacks follow a deadly strike on a government camp, while Britain and the U.S. weigh defensive backing for Saudi Arabia amidst a broader regional confrontation.
The United States has signalled that efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions are ongoing as regional diplomacy expands. Officials describe shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz as secure, with commercial traffic resuming at pre-war levels, even as Iran continues attacks and regional mediation intensifies.
Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen to lead Iran, and talks with judiciary chief Mohseni Ejei reflect efforts to secure rights, address damages from US-Israeli attacks, and navigate a war that has disrupted regional stability. The conflict continues to hinge on the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran seeks to safeguard its interests.
The Treasury has expanded an economic pressure campaign, aiming to destabilize Iran’s economy and push for concessions. The effort includes a naval blockade, currency collapse, and limits on oil revenue, trade routes, and banking networks.
Iran has warned that any new US or Israeli strikes will draw an immediate, geographically unrestricted response after senior commanders met the country’s supreme leader. Qatari mediators have been holding talks in Tehran, Tehran has received a letter from US Vice‑President J.D. Vance, and Washington says negotiation channels remain open ahead of the US midterms.
Kurdish regional rivals the KDP and PUK have intensified a power struggle that threatens a dual administration in Iraqi Kurdistan. After parliament reconvened amid controversy, the PUK has withdrawn from the regional government, while the KDP pushes for a governance framework that may redefine regional authority amid broader regional tensions.