US media reports say Washington hoped a deal with President al-Assad could free freelance journalist, therapist. ( read original story ...)
Exclusive: Syria Demands Sanctions Relief, US Troop Pullout in Return for Help with American Captives
Lebanese General Security director Major General Abbas Ibrahim brought to Washington a list of demands for Damascus including sanctions relief and closing Al-Tanf garrison in exchange for help on ... ( read original story ...)
U.S. held secret talks with Syria over missing American journalist, sanctions and U.S. military presence, Syrian newspaper reports
Two U.S. officials reportedly met with intelligence chief in rare high-level talks and discussed Austin Tice, abducted in Syria in 2012. ( read original story ...)
High-Level U.S. Mission to Syria Sought Release of American Prisoners
Though the two countries barely talk, American officials met in Damascus with a Syrian intelligence chief to discuss two U.S. citizens held in Syria, Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz. ( read original story ...)
Top US official on secret Syria visit for talks on missing
The daughter of a U.S. citizen missing in Syria says a top U.S. official recently visited the war-torn country, apparently for talks on her missing father and freelance journalist Austin Tice ... ( read original story ...)
Iraq’s Kadhimi kicks off European tour in Paris
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi is also slated to visit Germany and the United Kingdom as he looks to deepen economic and security cooperation. Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi began ... ( read original story ...)
Iraq, Jordan, Egypt economic partnership gains momentum
The tripartite meeting between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, and the ensuing agreements to boost cooperation raises questions about a nascent alliance that could confront Iran’s ... ( read original story ...)
Myanmar should use COVID crisis to end 30 years of crony capitalism
Myanmar's government needs to provide urgent financial assistance to tens of millions of poor and working families who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 economic downturn. It should also use the ... ( read original story ...)
Thousands of protesters call for government reform in Thailand
Tens of thousands of protesters in Thailand are defying a ban on gatherings to attend demonstrations for government reform. BBC News' Jonathan Head reports. ( read original story ...)
Thailand protests: Government vows to protect the monarchy after weekend of unrest
Thailand's government has vowed to protect the monarchy after tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters rallied in Bangkok and other cities over the weekend, as calls for a new constitution and ... ( read original story ...)