14 August 2026. In an exclusive Al Jazeera interview, President al-Sharaa describes Syria’s shift from a broken pariah state to a nation resolving internal conflicts, forming regional and global relationships, fostering economic revival, rebuilding institutions, and gradually establishing democratic governance.Watch video at: AL JAZEERA
10 August 2026. In Syria’s first appearance at the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, with over 500 students from 106 countries participating, Syrian students earned two medals. Syrian officials called the achievement a milestone in the nation’s AI development, demonstrating the talent of its youth.Read more at: SANA
5 August 2026. Following diplomatic overtures and statements by President al-Sharaa stressing his belief in diplomacy, and that the region must move beyond decades of war, the Hezbollah leader expressed openness to a meeting, calling for strengthening “positive, brotherly relations” between Damascus and Beirut.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
25 July 2026. The visit of Antonio Guterres to Syria, the first visit by a UN secretary-general in 17 years, marks a significant step in UN-Syria relations. Lauding the nation’s determination to rebuild and underscoring the UN’s broad support, Guterres called upon the international community to aid Syria’s recovery.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
19 July 2026. President al-Sharaa overhauled Syria’s security and intelligence leadership in an effort to strengthen national security, promote stability and remove obstacles to reconstruction. The move to consolidate agencies comes in the wake of recent violent attacks and cross-border arms smuggling attempts.Read more at: ALJAZEERA
13 July 2026. Dr. Abdul Hamid Aqil al-Awak, a constitutional lawyer, former judge, academic and public servant, was elected Speaker of Syria’s new legislature. Having opposed the previous regime while serving as a judge, he went into exile in 2014 to Turkey, where he laid out legal policies and procedures for Syria’s path to becoming a constitutional democracy.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
13 July 2026. When Syria’s new parliament convened for oath-taking and electing its leader and presidential council, President al-Sharaa urged lawmakers to prioritize public duty, strengthen accountability and help build a responsible, consensus-based legislature. He said the Assembly must serve as a platform for truth and justice.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
8 July 2026. The appointment of Huda Atassi, a prominent advocate for Syrians exiled and displaced by civil war, reflects the inclusion of civil society figures in Syria’s new parliament. Trained as an architect, she left Syria in 2012 for Lebanon and then Turkey, where she served Syrian families suffering in exile.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
24 June 2026. A youth-led astronomy project brings space education to Damascus neighborhoods, offering residents an interactive visual experience. The founder, a Syrian entrepreneur who recently returned after living abroad, seeks to inspire creativity, curiosity in the world and hope in Syrian children.Read more at: LEVANT 24
24 June 2026. Syria received support from the UN Security Council for its pursuit of accountability for the past regime’s crimes, and for anti-terrorism and related efforts. There were calls for long-term investment by member states in Syria’s multi-tiered progress toward stabilization, in the face of Israel’s ongoing attacks.Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
22 June 2026. In a TV interview about the crisis in Lebanon, President al-Sharaa stated that Syria is working with regional and international partners to address Lebanon’s immediate challenges and to create a framework for its long-term stability that will examine the underlying causes of instability.Read more at: LEVANT 24
11 June 2026. At a UN Security Council debate titled “Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East,” Ambassador Olabi stated that Syria is pursuing a “balanced and moderate approach” based on dialogue and constructive relations with all countries, seeking to strengthen partnerships and ease tensions in the region.Read more at: LEVANT 24
6 June 2026. Officials marked World Environment Day by highlighting initiatives that address Syria’s growing climate challenges — from drought to general ecosystem decline. National programs are being strengthened to protect natural resources and support longterm sustainable development.Read more at: SANA
5 June 2026. Syria’s national physics team won one silver and four bronze medals at KAIPhO 2026, a competition for high school students advanced in theoretical physics with judges from Russia, Kazakhstan, and the US. Officials see results as reflective of the quality of Syria’s scientific Olympiad training.Read more at: SANA
31 May 2026. The Syrian Network in Denmark held a conference to unite Syrian groups and initiatives across Denmark into a coordinated body to assist Syria. With Danish partners, Syrian activists and academics explored a framework for channeling diaspora expertise into the country’s rebuilding.Read more at: LEVANT 24
26 May 2026. As part of ongoing efforts to structure a comprehensive and realistic wage and pension system, President al-Sharaa approved a 30% increase in pensions, effective June 1. He noted that all workers had received wage increases since January 2025.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
23 May 2026. Syria’s Finance Ministry announced disciplinary measures against 256 employees, legal agents and accountants across several provinces as part of a broad anticorruption drive aimed at strengthening integrity and improving transparency within financial institutions.Read more at: SANA
18 May 2026. The Ministry of Sports and Youth and UNICEF gathered 250 young leaders, officials and civil society groups to design Syria’s first National Youth Strategy, highlighting youth as partners, innovators and active contributors to community development.Read more at: LEVANT 24
16 May 2026. Sixteen students from Syria’s national physics team joined the two-day KAI International Physics Olympiad remotely, reflecting ongoing efforts to boost Syria’s scientific talent and expand its participation in advanced global academic competitions.Read more at: SANA
10 May 2026. A criminal court in Damascus stripped Bashar and Maher al-Assad of their civil rights, placing their sizeable assets under state administration. The court issued similar rulings against other figures in the former regime, as part of the transitional justice process.Read more at: ENAB BALADI
5 May 2026. Jana Kharat arrived in Austria as a refugee at age seven, facing serious language and cultural challenges. She rose to be part of her school’s Junior Ambassadors team, the only Syrian, and participated in visits to several European institutions. Still identified with her homeland, she hopes to contribute to its reconstruction.Read more at: SANA
29 April 2026. Syria’s new leadership is pursuing restraint and regional neutrality, focusing on reconstruction while resisting pressure to enter wider confrontations. UN Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi described Syria as “a bridge for encounter, not an arena for conflict.”Read more at: SYRIAN OBSERVER
26 April 2026. Business leaders came together with young innovators to lend support to youth-led initiatives at a national conference. The goal is to develop entrepreneurial skills among a new generation of youth who can creatively contribute to Syria’s reconstruction and long-term development.Read more at: LEVANT 24
25 April 2026. Justice Minister al-Wais said Syria is ready to launch the first transitional justice trials, committed to revealing truth about the old regime’s abuses and establishing accountability. The trials will begin in Daraa, where the first sparks of the uprising against tyranny were ignited in March 2011.Read more at: SANA
After the bombing of my father’s Damascus chocolate factory during the Syrian civil war, my family fled to Lebanon as refugees, eventually moving to Antigonish, Canada. Initially I struggled to settle into small-town Canadian life caught between following my dream to become a doctor and preserving my family’s chocolate-making legacy. After successfully establishing our chocolate business with the support of the community, we now sponsor peace-building projects around the world. Our story is all about the importance of peace. Without peace, there is no life. Read More at: Tariq Hadhad, CEO Peace by Chocolate… Peace by Chocolate movie trailer…
