For today, links to three reports: from the Cradle and Anadolu Agency, and to commentary from the Cradle; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA 5-17-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, GAZA, UKRAINE and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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FROM MAY 24  Syrian, Turkish presidents hold first meeting in Istanbul. From the Cradle. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for the first time in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish and foreign media reported — the same day the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license authorizing . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 24  Türkiye-Syria cooperation will grow in all areas: Turkish President Erdogan tells Syrian counterpart, by Asiye Latife Yılmaz | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday emphasized the strengthening of Türkiye-Syria bilateral ties and cooperation in all areas, especially energy, defense, and transportation, during his meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 21  The World Bank and the path to devouring Syria’s assets. From the Cradle. At record speed, and despite Syria’s crushing political, security, and economic instability under western sanctions, the World Bank has reinitiated intensive contacts with the country’s new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led administration. The World Bank’s sudden openness to cooperation coincided . . . READ MORE . . .

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