Ukraine and Russia exchange deadly strikes after peace talks
Ukraine and Russia attacked targets on each other's territory on Thursday after brief direct talks between the two sides failed to make any progress o...
Syria has transitioned from mandatory conscription to voluntary military service, a move that has led to a surge in new enlistments. The policy change comes under the new Syrian administration, which has ruled the country since December, following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Interim Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa confirmed the shift during a podcast interview with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, stating that compulsory service has been replaced with voluntary recruitment. He also announced plans for a constitutional declaration to guide Syria’s political transition.
Why Does a New Volunteer Model Matter?
Under Assad’s rule, many Syrian men fled conscription, seeking refuge in Lebanon, Jordan, and Türkiye. The military’s strength was significantly reduced due to casualties, defections, and draft-dodging, shrinking from 300,000 soldiers to nearly half that number.
While Syria’s economy remains fragile, some exiled Syrians may return to enlist, particularly if the military shifts towards a civilian-led structure. In January, the Defense Ministry held discussions with military leaders on integrating various factions into the armed forces.
Who Will Be Syria’s New Defense Partners?
During his February visit to Türkiye, President Al-Sharaa met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss border security and counterterrorism. Reports suggest Ankara is considering establishing two air bases in Syria and has proposed training Syrian soldiers.
While no formal defense pact has been signed, Turkish officials have left open the possibility of future military cooperation. If an agreement is reached, Syria could benefit from NATO-style military training through Türkiye, which is a NATO member.
As Syria rebuilds its defense institutions, President Sharaa faces a critical challenge—securing partnerships while maintaining Syria’s stability and neutrality in a region often shaped by international power struggles.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
Iran is grappling with a worsening water crisis, with more than 20 of its 31 provinces suffering from severe shortages that have left the capital Tehran facing the risk of running dry.
A Russian general personally ordered the missile strike that brought down an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane last December, according to an investigative report by Minval Politika.
A nationwide poll conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows that a majority of respondents support the peace treaty being negotiated with neighbouring Azerbaijan.
Uzbekistan’s Energy Ministry, the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), and Uzbekneftegaz signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on Thursday for the exploration and subsequent production of hydrocarbons in investment blocks located in the Ustyurt oil and gas region.
Tajikistan and China launched a joint biodiversity lab in Dushanbe on July 21, aiming to advance ecological research and sustainable resource use across Central Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment