At the height of the Islamic State group’s rampage across Syria, the world watched in horror as the militants blew up an iconic arch and temple in the country’s famed Roman ruins in Palmyra. Source: Restoration lags for Syria’s famed Roman ruins at Palmyra and other war-battered historic sites
By Reuters Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeted Bashar al-Assad with a hug, and the Syrian President rubbed shoulders with leaders who had shunned him for years. Source: Syria’s Assad gets warm welcome at Arab summit after years of isolation
By Missy Ryan Officials in Washington insist that U.S. sanctions on Syria will remain, and that a regional rapprochement isn’t a sign of waning influence in the Middle East. Source: Arab embrace of Assad underscores divergence with U.S. over Syria