Opinion

If Baghdad successfully breaks away from Tehran's sphere of influence and joins the new emerging Middle East order, immense potential could follow

Sectarianism has not just appeared in Syria; it has taken hold. Suddenly, everything is being done and seen through a sectarian lens. This is not the Syria it needs to be, and must be condemned.

At two ends of the political spectrum, Jamal El-Haj and Simona Mohamsson are experiencing differing fortunes. One has been cast adrift after several scandals; the other's star is on the rise.

The fear of disintegration and fragmentation is deeply embedded in the Turkish psyche, as is the belief that the nation is a great power. That does not fit easily with events unfolding today

At this critical juncture, Syria could go one of two ways: towards stability and security, or towards chaos and bloodshed. Its friends are helping to guide it, but Iran has other ideas.

When people become disconnected from others, it can set in motion a cascade of health problems, both physical and mental. This disconnection is becoming more common. We need to wake up to it.

With initial projects worth almost $5bn, the new Syrian Saudi Investment Forum (SSIF) shows that Riyadh will help rebuild a war-battered regional country with huge private sector potential.

The perpetrators of violence in Sweida have not yet been brought to justice, with token gestures the best anyone has seen. If this new Syria is what it says it is, this is nowhere near good enough

Cleaved of its leverage, Iran will embrace chaos in Syria, with jihadists and smugglers waiting. Politics and investment will help stabilise Syria, and could offer Palestine hope. Up steps Riyadh

The wartime leader has just opted to bring independent anti-corruption bodies under his control, prompting thousands to protest on the streets of Kyiv. In Brussels and Moscow, they are watching.

The Palestinians are a minority in Israel, yet they are being bombed out of existence in Gaza. Odd, then, to see Israel bomb the Syrian government to defend the existence of another minority.

The president wants America's central bank to lower the interest rate so he can restructure the country's $37bn debt mountain, but the markets want him to leave the Federal Reserve alone.