The 45-day congressional review period for removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list ends on August 22, 2026, in two weeks.

If Congress does not block the move by August 22, 2026, the designation is automatically lifted.

U.S. restrictions on foreign assistance and defense exports drop.

Dual-use technology bans and strict financial penalties disappear.

International banks can process Syrian transactions without fearing U.S. fines.

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Syria will also be able to buy Chinese Defense Systems and equipment.

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For the first time in decades, Morocco is turning green after 2 years of increase in rainfall.

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Morocco’s government, alongside private conservation groups that have wanted this for years, plans to restore extinct wildlife, including the Atlas lion, which disappeared from the wild in Morocco around the 1940s, and other native species.

These goals were limited by extreme drought, deforestation, and the loss of rivers and habitats. Since 2020, large-scale reforestation projects have accelerated, and increased rainfall will now make broader wildlife restoration more feasible.

Kazakhstan has already begun a similar rewilding effort, releasing the first Turan tigers into restored habitat.

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Senior U.S. Republican Representative on the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey Defense Pact.

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Head of the Iraqi Border Ports Authority:

The Prime Minister wants the Rabia border crossing (located in the Al-Yaari area, in the countryside of Hasakah, on the Syrian side) to be the most important border crossing in Iraq, as it represents a vital transit point between Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

The crossing is experiencing a higher volume of trade and oil tankers compared to other crossings, despite only being open for a few months.

We emphasize the need to increase transit traffic to 300 vehicles and over 1000 oil tankers per day.

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Morocco’s Foreign Ministry:

Colombia announces a change in its position and acknowledges Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.

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Syria received more than 4.09 million visitors in 2025, according to the country’s tourism ministry. Arab arrivals increased by 99 per cent and international arrivals by 126 per cent.

Preliminary figures for the first half of 2026 show total arrivals, including Syrians, Arab visitors and international tourists, rising 111 per cent from a year earlier. International arrivals increased by 448 per cent.

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Israeli Channel 12:

"The military establishment acknowledges a significant increase in the willingness and ability of organizations hostile to Israel to operate explosive drones, including those equipped with fiber optics, from within Palestinian cities, and to direct them towards various targets.

This is a complex activity that differs from what we know so far."

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Hamas in the West Bank 2020 vs 2026

Since 2020, Hamas has expanded rapidly across the West Bank, growing from a small underground network into the largest armed actor after the PLO.

Rather than relying solely on its core Al-Qassam members, it has built a broad proxy network by actively financing, arming, training, helping direct, and establishing new militant groups and cells.

Exact figures remain unknown, but open-source estimates suggest the network grew from roughly 400–600 core fighters in 2020 to around 1,800–2,300 core operatives by 2026, supported by 4,000–5,500 affiliated fighters.

Hamas now provides funding, weapons, explosives expertise, operational support, and organizational assistance to groups such as the Jenin Battalion, Tulkarm Battalion, Lions’ Den, and armed cells in Balata and Askar, while also helping establish new local militant cells across the West Bank.

ACLED

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Kan Hebrew writes that the U.S. CENTCOM commander has informed Israel that the U.S.- Iran are “very close” to a written ceasefire agreement.

The U.S. And Iran are currently in a de-facto informal ceasefire.

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Pentagon declares crisis, the U.S. Defense Secretary issued an ultimatum for U.S. defense companies to submit a plan for the aggressive expansion of missile production within 21 days.

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A gas facility in the industrial city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, was targeted, fires have broken out.

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Jumblatt asked Bashar al-Assad in 2011 about the torture and killing of 13-year old Hamza al-Khateeb by Assad's security forces.

Bashar replied:

"We didn't torture him. We killed him .."

The Syrian Military opens recruit applications for enlistment to its ranks for individuals born between 2004 and 2008 in Aleppo’s eastern Manbij and southern Hasakah, with no degree required

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The Wall Street Journal:

President Trump is preparing the ground for declaring victory in the "war" against Iran, should Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has also raised the idea of withdrawing from the conflict without reaching a nuclear agreement.

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Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

After a year and a half of intensive negotiations, the fate of the two Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartous has been decided through a memorandum of understanding that outlines the future course of action for both parties.

The state will manage the civilian facilities, including Hmeimim airport and the fourth commercial pier in the port of Tartous, gradually integrating them into civilian administration.

The two parties have agreed to redefine the functions of the military bases and facilities, transforming them into joint training and qualification centers, within arrangements that safeguard mutual interests.

The memorandum of understanding sets a time limit of no more than three months to complete the transition process.

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Syrian General Authority of Ports and Customs:

Following a series of discussions between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Russian Federation, an agreement has been reached whereby the Syrian side will take over the commercial facilities previously operated by the Russian side within the Port of Tartus, including Pier No. (4), and the warehouses and associated facilities.

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