Warm meeting with Bennett is part of Moscow's broader regional strategy, which includes strategic partnerships with Iran and Syria

Think tank says manipulations helped Damascus evade sanctions and deny help to worst hit in civil war-wracked country; UN reviewing donations

Blinken, meeting with Israeli, UAE counterparts, says Washington won't lift sanctions without 'vital' political progress, despite warming ties between Arabs states and Damascus

Syrian state TV says the two discuss continued military operations in country's long civil war, amid recent reports of Russian airstrikes on Idlib

More than 12 million people in the 2 countries are affected, plus another 4 million in Lebanon facing critical water shortages

Despite a report saying Biden gave Putin an implicit go-ahead to confront IAF strikes more forcefully, Moscow doesn't appear to be doing much more than sending anonymous signals

Thousands used to visit Maalula churches and monasteries before the 2011 civil war; volunteers begin to clear rubble ahead of August 15 Assumption

Rescue group says artillery fire struck several families' homes in Idlib; civil defense center, water station hit in airstrikes

Meeting in Baghdad, leaders call for renewed efforts to reach 'just and comprehensive peace' between Israel and Palestinians and for creation of independent Palestinian state

Protesters slam decision to put Assad regime on executive panel of UN body, noting his army's bombing of hospitals and clinics