IMF Outlook: The IMF says Syria’s economic recovery is accelerating, with double-digit growth expected in 2026 as agriculture rebounds after better rainfall, hydrocarbon output and electricity supply improve, trade and services pick up, and more visitors and refugee returns boost demand—though poverty remains widespread and inflation is expected to ease only if import-price pressures cool. Sanctions & Energy: The U.S. imposed new sanctions on Russian defense entities and firms under an act covering Iran, North Korea and Syria, while separate reporting says Syria agreed to cut Russian oil imports amid U.S. sanctions talks. Syria-Türkiye Cooperation: Syria’s FM Asaad al-Shibani is set to visit Türkiye for security, stability and cooperation talks, including economic and reconstruction coordination, and both sides are expected to discuss northeastern Syria integration. Border Coordination: Iraq and Syria are coordinating security along their frontier, with Syrian units reportedly deployed near the Iraqi border as Iraq boosts monitoring and intelligence around reopened crossings. Trade & Business Links: The UAE-Syria Business Council has been restructured to speed up trade growth and post-war investment ties. Humanitarian Livelihoods: In Jordan, Islamic Relief’s “Youth Soar” project backed 103 Syrian refugee and host-community women with livestock micro-grants (goats and supplies) plus training in entrepreneurship and financial management.