Syria–Lebanon Economic Reset: Lebanon and Syria agreed on measures to revive economic ties, including a Lebanese-Syrian Business Council and an investment forum planned for autumn in Damascus, with projects spanning electricity, construction, ports (Latakia, Tartus, Tripoli, Beirut), tourism, cement and tobacco. World Bank Reform Talks: Syria’s finance minister met the World Bank’s Middle East director in Damascus to push financial and institutional reforms, including pension and social insurance restructuring, housing finance and mortgage-law updates, and steps to improve governance and efficiency at state-owned financial institutions. Russian Debt & Currency Clearing: A new analysis argues Syria’s deal on Russian military bases is tied to older sovereign debt and currency-clearing obligations from the Soviet era, reframing the “bases conversion” narrative as a financial settlement issue. Syria’s Interpol Coordination: Syria is forming a committee to coordinate with Interpol over the handover of former regime figures, signaling a push to tighten legal and extradition pathways. Tartus Port Operations: Syria has begun operations at Tartus Port after a Russian handover, a practical move that could affect logistics and trade flows. Energy Route Pressure: Separate reporting says Iran is tightening leverage over key maritime chokepoints (Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb), pushing Gulf and U.S. planners toward alternative export routes—an indirect but important backdrop for Syria-linked regional trade and fuel costs.