Lebanon News

While Damascus’ rapprochement with the Arab World is accelerating, the United States and members of the European Union, among which France features prominently, still claim that their policy on Syria is unchanged. However, a growing number of French analysts have reported that powerful economic lobbies are pushing the French presidential palace to restore ties with the regime in the hope that France will reap economic benefits. The recent visit by a board member of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce to Paris only lends credence to these claims.

Ahead of the Turkish elections, one of the key areas of concern remains the future of Ankara's policy towards Syria and Syrian refugees. As Turkey continues to navigate the complexities of the Syrian conflict, it is important to understand how the election results may shape its approach towards its neighbouring country.

The United Nations Industrial Organisation has launched a new project for the first time since 2011.

On May 11, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives introduced the Assad Anti-Normalisation Act, sending a clear message of disapproval to Arab countries that have re-engaged the Syrian regime.

Syria has been readmitted into the Arab League more than a decade after its seat was frozen, marking a significant development in its reintegration into the Arab world. The decision will provide Damascus with a political boost and may encourage other countries in and outside of the Arab world to normalise and improve relations with Syria.

Although Jordan is at the forefront of rapprochement efforts with the regime, its air force allegedly launched two airstrikes over southern Syrian territory, killing an infamous drug lord and destroying a drug factory. The strikes came less than a week after Damascus agreed to tackle drug trafficking on its border with Jordan and Iraq and days after Amman seized its largest captagon shipment of the year.

Around 39 percent of the funding requirements for the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan for Syria were met last year, according to the UNHCR and UNDP.

The E.U. Council recently blacklisted 33 regime-affiliated individuals and entities, including regime financiers, narcotics dealers, and an NGO allegedly run by Asma Al-Assad.

A new report surveying the varying socio-economic conditions in IDP camps across all four zones of control in Syria.

Iran's crude oil exports to Syria appear to have remained high in the first quarter of 2023. Oil supplies in Q4, 2022 and Q1, 2023 were actually higher than in any quarter in the previous two-and-a-half years, which means that the reasons behind the shortages in previous months are still unclear. 

Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad has replaced several members of his government for the first time since August 2021 as economic and social conditions remain dire.

Syria’s latest commercial private sector bank, the National Islamic Bank, has published its opening balance sheet and appointed a CEO as it moves towards launching operations.

While the February 06 earthquake has increased diplomatic activities between Syria and the Arab world, Damascus will likely remain relatively isolated. Sanctions will also largely remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Although political normalisation between Damascus and Cairo may pave the way for a more important role for Egypt-based Syrian entrepreneurs, Syrian businesspersons continue to face economic and political barriers both in Egypt and their home country, according to a new report.

This chart provides an overview of the number of planes and truck convoys carrying humanitarian aid that reached Syria between February 06 and 14.

Governments and international organisations worldwide have offered aid and assistance to Syria after the recent earthquake. However, aid response and coordination efforts have been hampered by the destruction of roads and highways, weather conditions, fuel shortages, and territorial fragmentation across regime-opposition political lines, among other things.

A selection of reports, papers, and articles on Syria.

Lebanon’s exports to Syria increased by 290 percent last year, according to the Lebanese Customs Authorities. Curiously, one commodity, polyethylene, made up 74 percent of Lebanon’s exports to Syria last year, surging by nearly 30,000 percent year-on-year despite accounting for lower volumes.

New figures issued by the European Union indicate that Syrian first-time asylum applicants increased in 2022 for the second year in a row, while illegal border crossings nearly doubled year-on-year. 

A high-level government delegation visited the Deir-ez-Zor governorate to inaugurate projects worth millions of euros and pounds, highlighting the government’s increased interest in the province.