March 2010Issue No. 59
Reshuffling the Deck
Syria has a new economic team. What does it mean for the country’s economic reform programme?
Raising the Cash
Capital requirements at local banks have been increased by more than six-fold. Local firms will need to aggressively expand their business if they are to maintain constant returns to investors.
Treating the Taboo
HIV/AIDS is surrounded by misunderstandings in Syria. While the government is taking action to address stigmas associated with the disease, strong stereotypes persist.
Up Close and Personal
Syrian documentary filmmakers are zooming in on the personal in their films.
Syria mulls renewed Turkey-brokered peace talks: President Bashar al-Assad and visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu discussed the prospects of resuming indirect talks between Syria and Israel.
Iraqi refugees vote in Syria: Twenty-three stations set up in Syria for the Iraqi election.
Iraqi VP in Damascus: Iraqi Vice President has arrived in Damascus for a 3-day visit ahead of the March 7 elections.
Iran and Syria warn of colonialism: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said US policy on Iran was a new form of colonialism in the Middle East during his meeting with the Iranian president.
US lifts travel advisory: US lifts travel advisory warning citizens about security concerns in Syria.
Syria dismisses IAEA calls: Syria has dismissed an IAEA recommendation to allow its inspectors unrestrained access, days after the agency said a bombed Syrian complex could have been a nuclear site.
Syrian bans activists from leaving: Number of activists banned from leaving the country has risen in the past couple of month.
French PM raises human rights concerns:French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said he held "frank and direct" talks with Syria's president on the issue of human rights.
Possible nuclear activity at bombed site: Uranium particles found at a Syrian desert complex bombed by Israel in 2007 point to possible covert nuclear activity at the site, the IAEA said.
Top US officials visit Syria: Syrian president meets with Under Secretary of State William Burns while senior US counter terrorism official Daniel Benjamin holds talks with local counterparts.
Turkey and Iraq restart rail link:The first passenger train from Iraq, running through Syria and into Turkey, arrives in Gaziantep.
Obama nominates Ford as ambassador: US Senate must now approve nomination.
Syria shuts down fake drug ring: Some 65 people arrested in counterfeit pharmaceutical ring.
Syria approves US ambassador: Deputy US ambassador to Iraq Robert Stephen Ford to take up post.
New regulations for domestic workers: The Syrian government has released a directive regulating the employment of foreign workers.
