AGP Executive Report

Lebanon Front: Israel struck southern Lebanon again on Saturday, hitting the Nabi Sreij area near the Syrian border after earlier raids killed 10 people on Friday, including six paramedics and a child, with Beirut’s health ministry calling the attacks violations of international law and reporting further strikes into the night. Iran–US Talks: In Tehran, officials accused Washington of “excessive demands” as the US weighs new strikes while considering a peace proposal, with Pakistan’s army chief shuttling in to push mediation. US Leadership Shake-Up: US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard resigned, effective June 30, saying she’s stepping away to care for her husband after an extremely rare bone cancer diagnosis, as Trump named her deputy as acting director. Counterterror Moves: Türkiye and Syrian intelligence arrested 10 Daesh/ISIL suspects in a joint operation, including one linked to the 2015 Ankara train bombing. UFO Files: The Pentagon released more declassified UFO videos, including an F-16 shootdown clip, while stressing there’s no proof of extraterrestrial origin. Syrian Interior: Over 10,000 Kurds applied for citizenship under a 2026 decree aimed at restoring nationality to stateless Kurds affected by the 1962 census.

US Intelligence Shake-Up: Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as America’s Director of National Intelligence, ending a turbulent 15-month run; she says she’s stepping down to care for her husband after he was diagnosed with an extremely rare bone cancer, and Trump says her deputy Aaron Lukas will take over as acting DNI. UFO Files Keep Coming: The Pentagon released a second batch of declassified “unidentified anomalous phenomena” records, including new footage tied to a “Syrian UAP instant acceleration” clip and other encounters, with more releases promised soon. Lebanon Under Fire: In southern Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed 10 people, including six rescuers and a child, as attacks continue despite a ceasefire. Deportation Fight Heads to Supreme Court: Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil vowed to take his case to the US Supreme Court after a divided appeals court left the door open to re-arrest and deportation. Syria-Iraq Trade Push: Syria and Iraq say they want to double trade within two years, aiming to beat pre-war levels by 2027.

Southern Syria Raids: Israeli artillery shelled farmland in the Yarmouk Basin near Maariya and Abdin on the western outskirts of Daraa, with no casualties reported, as raids and searches keep intensifying. ISIS Returns to Australia: A second group of Australian women and children linked to ISIS has left Syria’s al-Roj camp for Damascus, but flight plans are unclear and the Australian government says it won’t provide help—any legal breaches will be met with the full force of the law. Humanitarian Law Push: Syria says it has joined a global initiative to strengthen commitment to international humanitarian law, with the accession document submitted to the ICRC. Afrin Homecoming: The sixth convoy of displaced Afrin families departed Qamishlo toward their towns, carrying about 1,300 families under a government-SDF return agreement. Trade and Industry: Uzbekistan opened a Syria trade house and distribution center in Aleppo, aiming to expand Uzbek exports and logistics.

Lebanon Ceasefire Strains: Israel struck a hospital in southern Lebanon, damaging the facility in Tibnin as fighting with Hezbollah continued despite a truce, with Lebanon’s health ministry saying dozens of hospitals and health workers have been hit since March. Syria Security & Politics: In Damascus, a soldier was killed and others injured after an explosion near the Defense Ministry, while in northeast Syria officials say national integration with the SDF remains the “only option” and electoral steps are moving forward in Rojava. Regional Diplomacy: Saudi and Syrian foreign ministers held a phone call on bilateral ties, and Syria’s new leadership is set to attend the G7 summit in France as a guest nation for the first time. Humanitarian Push: Jordan sent a 25-truck relief convoy to Lebanon with infant formula and medicine, citing worsening conditions for children. War Remnants: Idlib saw four children killed in a landmine blast, underscoring the ongoing danger of unexploded ordnance.

Syria’s G7 Breakthrough: President Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to attend the G7 summit in France next month as a guest nation, a first since the group began in 1975, with officials saying Syria wants to position itself as a supply-chain hub after the Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Israel Trade Pressure: Damascus has reinforced its boycott by issuing a customs decree that blocks Israeli goods from entering Syria and speeds up enforcement for Israeli products. Captagon Crackdown: Syria says it stopped a major smuggling attempt of 25 million Captagon pills hidden in ceramic containers, calling it its biggest domestic and international haul. Regional Diplomacy: Türkiye’s Erdogan told Trump the Iran ceasefire extension is a “positive development” and urged stability in Syria and Lebanon. Jordan Tourism Push: Jordan launched a global tourism campaign in 10 capitals, betting on religious, medical, nature and archaeology travel as it rebuilds visitor numbers after regional shocks. Aleppo Connectivity: Jazeera Airways resumes direct flights to Aleppo from June 25, two weekly routes, as travel links slowly return. Mali Cluster Bombs: Rights groups warn Mali’s anti-terror strikes used cluster munitions, raising fears for civilians from unexploded bomblets.

Trump–Xi Summit: Donald Trump landed in Beijing and left with a handshake from Xi Jinping, but the real story is the tone: the U.S. arrived looking less confident, while China projected calm, signaling a shifting global balance. Supreme Court Watch: In Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court is entering decision season, with major rulings expected over the next weeks, including fights tied to presidential power and culture-war issues. Syria–Israel Flashpoints: In southern Syria’s Quneitra, Israeli forces detained two people during dawn incursions, as shelling and raids continue to disrupt rural areas. Syria–U.S. “Cologne Diplomacy”: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa publicly thanked Trump for more “Victory” cologne, extending the viral perfume-and-joke moment from their earlier White House meeting. Humanitarian Pressure: The World Food Programme highlighted ongoing displacement from Idlib, warning that the journey to safety is among the most dangerous people can make. WFP Innovation: WFP also spotlighted new tools—from iris-scan cash transfers to hydroponics—aimed at reaching “zero hunger.”

Golan Heights Deployment: Kazakhstan has sent a third UN peacekeeping contingent—139 servicemen led by Lt. Col. Ilyas Almatov—after earlier rotations since 2024, with the force monitoring ceasefires, patrolling, clearing explosives, and escorting UN staff. Damascus Security Shock: A car bomb near Syria’s defense ministry in Bab Sharqi killed one soldier and injured others, as Damascus continues to report sporadic blasts after the Assad era. ISIS Bride Return Row (Australia): Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied offering help for a second expected group of ISIS-linked women and children returning from Syria, saying any legal breaches will be handled under full Australian law. Regional Humanitarian Pressure: A UN food-crisis report warns acute hunger is worsening—266 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2025, up from 105 million in 2016—driven by conflict and long-running crises. Turkey Earthquake Alert: Eastern Turkey was hit by a magnitude 5.6 quake in Malatya; schools were evacuated and residents rushed outside, with no major damage reported.

Damascus Under Attack: A car bomb exploded near Syria’s Defense Ministry in Bab Sharqi, killing one soldier and wounding at least 18 as security forces sealed the area and hospitals took in the injured. Captagon Crackdown: Syria’s anti-narcotics directorate says 25 million Captagon pills were seized at a port, hidden inside clay pottery containers, with seven suspects arrested. EU Signals a Thaw: The EU removed seven Syrian entities from its blacklist, including the defense and interior ministries, while keeping sanctions on Assad-era tycoons and extending curbs on key individuals. Regional Pressure on Iran: The U.S. says it paused a planned strike on Iran after Gulf leaders intervened, as Tehran submitted a revised peace proposal via Pakistan. Lebanon Toll Rises: Lebanon’s health ministry put deaths from Israeli attacks since March 2 at 3,020, with 9,273 wounded. Syrian Courts Continue Trials: Damascus’ criminal court held the third hearing in the Najib trial, part of the public process against former regime officials. Customs Tightening: Syria issued a new customs law and tariff schedule, including tougher rules aimed at smuggling.

Iran War Fallout: Trump postponed a planned U.S. strike on Iran after Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE urged more talks—while the Hormuz standoff keeps pressure rising. Gulf Power Tensions: Reports say Saudi and UAE involvement in the Iran conflict is straining GCC unity, with UAE-Israel ties still a flashpoint. Great-Power Chess: A fresh push for mediation spotlights China’s role as Washington and Tel Aviv fear what Tehran might do next. NATO Air Shield: Germany will rotate a Patriot system to Turkey, citing the need to bolster defenses after Iranian rocket attacks. EU Syria Reset: The EU removed seven Syrian entities (including defense and interior ministries) from sanctions while extending individual-linked measures to June 2027. Syria Economy Signals: Syria is set to join G7 finance discussions in Paris as Damascus seeks reintegration; Emaar also plans to run its Damascus “Eighth Gate” project independently. Regional Trade Shift: An Iraq-Turkey transit convoy entered via Syria, raising new questions for Kurdistan’s trade routes. Drug Crackdown: India’s first Captagon bust—31.5 kg hidden in a chapati cutter—puts a spotlight on a Syria-to-Saudi transit trail. Migration Numbers: Georgia registered 201 asylum seekers in Q1 2026 and expelled 904 foreign nationals.

EU Syria Sanctions Reset: The EU renewed sanctions tied to the former Assad regime for another year until June 1, 2027, but removed seven entities—including Syria’s interior and defense ministries—from its blacklist, signaling a cautious thaw with Damascus. Lebanon War Toll: In Lebanon, the health ministry says deaths in Israel–Hezbollah fighting have topped 3,000, with more than a million displaced as strikes continue despite ceasefire talks. Palestine Politics in New York: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s “Nakba” video sparked backlash after critics said the featured “survivor” had European settler roots, escalating fights over how the catastrophe is framed. Maritime Scrutiny: Sweden opened a fresh investigation into the detained tanker Sea Owl I after a replacement captain was arrested over alleged false papers. ISIS Pressure: U.S. and Nigerian forces carried out another strike against ISIS fighters in northeastern Nigeria, days after a joint operation killed a top ISIS leader. Syrian Economy & Food: The Kurdish National Council urged Syria’s interim government to revisit wheat pricing, saying it falls below farmers’ real costs.

Syria’s economy under pressure: President Ahmad al-Sharaa has named Safwat Raslan as the new central bank governor, promising a gradual push toward monetary stability as the Syrian pound stays weak and living costs bite. Local governance: A wider ministerial reshuffle is underway, but critics say it risks looking like official rotation unless electricity, security, wages, and services improve fast. Power-sharing fight: Kurdish parties are rejecting Syria’s new parliament mechanism, warning that only four seats for Kurds in a 210-member assembly could deepen marginalization. Security on the ground: Israel carried out fresh cross-border incursions in Quneitra, including searches and firing near shepherds, as tensions rise. Regional signals: DP World is moving ahead with an $800m Tartous port redevelopment under a 30-year concession, betting on trade revival. Humanitarian backdrop: Syria also banned wheat imports during the harvest season to protect local farmers and keep subsidized grain purchases from being undercut.

Syria Frontline Escalation: Israel’s army pushed into western Daraa near Jamlah, with tanks and vehicles moving in Wadi al-Raqad and firing reported toward shepherds, while Quneitra saw fresh incursions and searches with temporary checkpoints. Diplomatic Push: In Damascus, President Ahmad al-Sharaa met US envoy Thomas Barrack and discussed regional developments and economic cooperation; Saudi FM Prince Faisal also met Barrack in Riyadh to back stability. Regional Tensions, Nuclear Alarm: The UAE condemned a drone strike that sparked a fire near the Barakah nuclear plant, with the IAEA saying radiation levels stayed normal and calling military restraint near nuclear sites “unacceptable.” Culture & Rights: Kurdish language rights remain a flashpoint as Kurdish groups accuse Damascus of recognizing Kurdish on paper but not fully enforcing it in education and academic certificates. Economy & Reconstruction Tech: Noon opened its first official Damascus office, while a Syria–Saudi push aims to build data infrastructure via a Tier III data center partnership. Security & Illicit Trade: India’s NCB says it arrested a factory owner linked to Captagon production after a major Mundra Port seizure under “Operation RAGEPILL.”

Counterterror Strike: US and Nigerian forces carried out a precision operation in Metele, Borno State, killing ISIS second-in-command Abu Bilal al‑Minuki (Abu-Mainok) and several lieutenants, with Trump calling it “flawlessly executed” and Tinubu praising the “effective collaboration.” Kidnapping Alarm: The same week’s violence in Nigeria deepened as reports said terrorists abducted 42 schoolchildren in Borno, raising fears of retaliation. Syria Finance Move: Syria appointed Safwat Raslan as central bank governor, signaling a push to reconnect with global banking after years of isolation. Humanitarian Aid: Qatar’s QFFD and QRCS delivered multi-sector relief to Syria, including fuel for hospitals, food parcels, and hygiene kits. Regional Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia and Turkey are set to discuss strengthening cooperation on the Syrian file, while Jordan’s foreign minister met Estonia to expand ties and de-escalate regional tensions. Vienna Culture Debate: A study in Vienna found 41% of Muslim youth believe religious laws should take precedence over Austrian law, fueling fresh political debate.

ISIS Strike in Nigeria: President Trump says U.S. and Nigerian forces killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s global second-in-command, in a helicopter-borne Lake Chad operation, with heavy fighting and no reported U.S.-Nigerian casualties. Israel-Lebanon Front: Despite a renewed ceasefire, Israeli strikes are still hitting deeper into southern Lebanon, with civilians reported among the dead. Syria Under Pressure: Israeli forces carried out fresh raids and ransacking in Quneitra, while UN officials warn Syria’s progress is real but fragile as humanitarian funding falls. Syria’s Economy: Syria appointed Safwat Raslan as central bank governor, signaling a push to reconnect with global finance after years of isolation. Humanitarian Aid: Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Red Crescent are delivering fuel, food, and medical supplies to keep services running in multiple Syrian governorates. Oil and the Strait of Hormuz: Iraq’s oil exports through Hormuz plunged to 10 million barrels in April, pushing more crude onto alternative routes. Drug Crackdown: India’s NCB says it seized 227.7 kg of Captagon worth Rs 182 crore, calling it the first-ever such haul.

ISIS Crackdown: US and Nigerian forces killed ISIS’s global second-in-command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint operation in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin, with Trump calling it a major blow to the group’s worldwide operations. Counterterror & Drugs: India’s NCB announced its first-ever Captagon (“jihadi drug”) seizure—Rs 182 crore—aimed at the Middle East, alongside an arrest. Syria Diplomacy: Türkiye told the UN Security Council Syria is moving toward “sustainable stability,” while warning against Israel’s destabilizing actions; a UN official also said Israeli violations east of the 1974 ceasefire line still block stability. UAE Heritage Push: The UAE announced restoration work for Damascus’s Umayyad Mosque, linking the project to broader revitalization of the surrounding historic area. Regional Politics: Kurdish groups rejected Syria’s parliament seat allocation of only four seats, as China urged an inclusive political transition at the UN.

Syria’s Banking Shake-Up: Syria is set to replace central bank governor Abdelkader Husriyeh with Safwat Raslan, head of the Syrian Development Fund, as Damascus pushes to reconnect state banks with global finance after years of sanctions and isolation. Lebanon Rail Revival: Lebanon launched a tender to update the Tripoli-to-Syria border rail study, aiming to restart a long-stalled corridor and turn Tripoli port into a stronger regional logistics hub. Regional Diplomacy Under Strain: Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their truce by 45 days, while the UN warned Syria’s political integration and accountability are progressing only “limitedly” amid ongoing sovereignty violations and economic hardship. Security Flashpoints: A bomb attack at an Aleppo church funeral was foiled after a homemade device fell from a hearse; in Daraa, Israeli shelling hit areas near Jamla, with no reported casualties. Humanitarian Pressure: UN updates say Gaza remains under heavy attack and aid access is still severely constrained.