AGP Executive Report

Syria–US investment push: In Damascus, officials met with representatives of about 50 American companies to discuss investment, energy, telecom and financial services, while Russia keeps resupplying its Syria presence—suggesting Assad-era Syria is trying to balance both powers rather than fully swap Moscow for Washington. Media tech & training: Oman joined the Arab States Broadcasting Union Executive Council in Tunisia, with talks covering radio/TV engineering, new media, and how to use artificial intelligence in media work alongside training plans. Education for rebuild: A new education project in Syria aims to support the rebuild with skills tied to a changing economy, including digital tech and AI, plus hospitality and trades. Fuel pressure in Syria: Syria’s fuel protests highlight how economic recovery is still fragile, with shortages and price shocks exposing limits in infrastructure and supply. Cultural memory, saved: A report highlights how Syrian archaeologists rescued around 30,000 artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum during the ISIS threat in 2014–2015, underscoring wartime heritage protection. AI warfare debate: Coverage warns that AI-driven military systems are spreading fast and could outpace human control, raising concerns for future conflict.

Nuclear Cooperation: Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission says a new 2026–2031 Country Programme Framework with the IAEA will speed up transfers of peaceful nuclear technology for health, agriculture, water, energy planning, and radiation safety after the IAEA ended Syria’s non-compliance finding. Forensics & Justice: Syria’s National Commission for Missing Persons completed a week-long DNA laboratory training at ICMP in The Hague, covering DNA workflow, profile comparison, and quality assurance, with plans for a Syrian-led national DNA lab to identify missing people. Reconstruction & Heritage: A new study details how Syrian archaeologists saved about 30,000 artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum during 2014–2015 as ISIS threatened the city, highlighting wartime cultural protection. Tech & Culture: A Broken Sword remake developer says it avoided AI for ~55,000 hand-drawn animation frames, arguing human-crafted expression matters for games. Energy & Society: Syria’s fuel price protests are framed as exposing limits of economic recovery, while reporting also notes moves to introduce multiple diesel fuel categories.

Nuclear & Health Tech (Syria): Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission says cooperation with the IAEA will enable direct transfer of peaceful nuclear technology after a 2026–2031 Country Programme Framework signed in Vienna, targeting nuclear and radiation safety, health and nutrition, food and agriculture, energy planning, industrial applications, and water/environment. Forensics & BioTech (Syria): Syria’s National Commission for Missing Persons completed a week-long DNA laboratory training at ICMP in The Hague, covering DNA workflow, profile comparison, and quality assurance, with plans to build a sustainable Syrian-led national DNA lab. Energy & Infrastructure (Syria): Syria is moving to introduce three diesel fuel categories amid fuel-price protests, as the country tries to ease consumer costs while rebuilding. Digital Payments (Syria): Thunes expanded its cross-border payout network to include Syria, adding bank, wallet, and cash-pickup routes to speed remittances and commerce across the region. Regional Science Policy (Morocco/IAEA): Morocco and the IAEA renewed radiological safety cooperation across Africa, extending training for regulators under an African radiological safety school model.

Nuclear Cooperation: Syria says its Country Programme Framework with the UN’s IAEA (2026–2031) will speed the transfer of peaceful nuclear technology, with work planned across safety, health, agriculture, water, energy planning, and industrial uses. Energy & Industry: Syria is set to introduce subsidized diesel at 115 SYP/l for heating, agriculture and eligible consumers, plus a higher subsidized grade at 150 SYP/l for some productive sectors, as refinery upgrades and small-refinery restarts aim to stabilize supplies after price protests. Payments & Remittances: Thunes expands its cross-border payout network to six Middle East markets, including Syria, adding bank, wallet, and cash-pickup routes via API or Swift connectivity. Banking Investment: Estithmar’s Masaref Holding completes its 48.68% stake transfer in Shahba Bank, signaling plans to grow branches, digital banking, SME financing, and cybersecurity. Culture Under Fire: A new study highlights how Syrian archaeologists helped rescue about 30,000 artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum during the ISIS threat in 2014–2015.

Energy & Prices in Syria: Syria’s Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir says diesel will be sold in multiple subsidized grades—115 Syrian pounds/liter for heating, agriculture and eligible consumers; 150 for some productive/service sectors; while standard-spec diesel stays at 175—after refinery overhauls and higher import costs sparked fuel protests. Banking & Digital Services: Estithmar Holding says Masaref Holding has completed its 48.68% stake transfer in Shahba Bank, aiming to expand branches in underserved governorates and boost digital banking, SME lending and cybersecurity. Cultural Heritage Under Fire: A University of Sharjah study describes how Syrian archaeologists helped rescue about 30,000 artifacts from Deir ez-Zor Museum during 2014–2015 as ISIS threatened the city, highlighting decision-making and institutional resilience in wartime. Solar & Reconstruction Angle: Coverage points to off-grid solar powering parts of Syria’s reconstruction and decentralised solar growth. Nuclear Oversight: Syria-related reporting notes uranium placed under IAEA safeguards and the end of a long-running safeguards dispute, keeping verification and safety in focus.

Energy & Prices: Syria’s Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir says diesel will be sold in three categories at different prices and specs after fuel protests, with subsidized heating/agriculture diesel at 115 SYP per liter and other tiers for standard and productive/service uses; the Syrian Petroleum Company will also restart local electric refineries with up to 35,000 barrels/day capacity. Reconstruction Tech & Power: A Syria off-grid solar case study shows 24 households in Khirais getting 24/7 electricity from community panels, powering lighting, refrigeration, and study—an example of how local energy systems can keep daily life running when grids and budgets fail. Finance & Digital Banking: Qatar’s Estithmar Holding completed a 48.68% stake transfer in Shahba Bank to Masaref Holding, aiming to strengthen the bank’s financial, operational, and technological capabilities and expand services for individuals, firms, and SMEs. Security & Military Capacity: A new analysis warns foreign influence and extremist remnants could slow Damascus’s ability to align its rebuilding military with US interests, including preventing ISIS resurgence and limiting weapons flows. Regional Media & Governance: Arab information ministers at the Arab Media Summit urged faster, verified government communication during crises while protecting media independence.

Syrian tech & research: A new study maps the Roman Empire’s ~190,000-mile road network and finds “all roads lead to Rome” was more myth than reality, with many routes not actually centered on the capital. Nuclear & verification: Oman reaffirmed cooperation with the IAEA for peaceful nuclear technology and capacity-building, highlighting “Atoms for Food” and related programs. Syria governance & AI: Syria’s President al-Sharaa met UAE officials and was briefed on government modernization using advanced technologies and AI, with a focus on service design and performance measurement. Education & digital access: Refuge UC, a student-led group, helps refugee children in the US navigate schooling, language barriers, and health classes. Energy pressure: Fuel-price hikes tied to the Iran war sparked protests across multiple countries, including Syria, underscoring how global energy shocks hit daily life. Security & health concerns: A Syrian Telegram-driven pattern of reported “heart attacks” among military/security officers has raised calls for investigations. Regional tech/business: QNB and Mastercard launched Syria’s first internationally accepted payment card, aiming to expand cross-border payments.

Syria Fuel Protests: Syria’s government raised gasoline and diesel prices, and fuel-price anger is spilling into real-world disruptions, including stranded oil tanker trucks near Tal Tamr as costs tied to the US-Iran conflict keep climbing. Syrian Governance & AI: President Ahmad al-Sharaa met UAE officials and was briefed on the UAE government work system, with a focus on institutional performance, service design, and using advanced technologies and AI to modernize public delivery. IAEA Nuclear Update: Syria says it placed 73 tons of uranium under IAEA safeguards and has ended its 15-year safeguards dispute, signaling a new verification phase. Academic Freedom Watch: A Scholars at Risk report says academic freedom in India is “severely restricted,” with government influence over universities and curbs on student expression—while Syria is listed among “completely restricted” cases. Digital Payments in Syria: QNB Syria and Mastercard launched Syria’s first internationally accepted payment card for cross-border transactions. Cyber & Media Tech: The Arab Media Summit in Dubai highlighted cyber-attacks on critical sites and pushed for an international convention to govern state conduct in cyberspace.

Syrian Media & Diplomacy: President Ahmed al-Sharaa opened the Arab Media Summit in Dubai with a “Syria of the Future” pitch, while the UAE highlighted cyber-attacks hitting ports, refineries, and airports during the year’s crisis. Energy Pressure on Syria: Fuel protests erupted after Syria’s Oil Derivatives Pricing Committee raised prices by about 22%, exposing how fragile recovery is when refineries and production remain war-damaged. Housing & Investment Tech-Forward: Saudi-backed “Sham View” in Damascus aims to deliver 10,000+ units across 178 hectares in a five-year plan, positioning real-estate finance as a lever for easing the capital’s housing crunch. Regional Power & Infrastructure: Iraq signed a Phase IV framework with Siemens Energy for new generation, transmission upgrades, maintenance, and workforce training—an example of how grid modernization is becoming a security issue. Global Research Freedom Watch: A Scholars at Risk report says India’s academic freedom is “severely restricted,” with Syria listed in the “completely restricted” category—raising alarms for research and campus autonomy. AI Governance Debate: Anthropic and other AI leaders renewed calls to slow frontier AI, warning of fast-moving misuse risks.

Fuel & Protests: Syria’s fuel price hikes sparked demonstrations across Aleppo, Hama, Idlib and other governorates after diesel rose up to ~40% and gasoline up to ~30%, exposing how fragile recovery remains amid damaged infrastructure and heavy reliance on imports. Sanctions & Investment Push: President Ahmad al-Sharaa told the Arab Media Summit that Syria is “born again” after sanctions were lifted, framing the shift toward a more liberal economy and pointing to Gulf investment interest, including port-focused plans. Trade Hub Pitch: During a UAE visit, al-Sharaa pitched Syria as a regional trade and energy corridor linking the Mediterranean to the Gulf, highlighting Tartus and citing early DP World-related momentum. Nuclear Oversight: Syria said it placed 73 tons of uranium under IAEA safeguards and ended a long-running safeguards dispute, while Qatar renewed calls at the IAEA for intensified efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. AI & Security Risks: Anthropic reported China-linked use of its Claude AI to surveil and profile Uyghurs, including targeting diaspora media—an example of how AI is being weaponized beyond Syria’s borders. Power Infrastructure (Regional): Iraq and Siemens Energy signed a Phase IV power framework in Berlin covering generation, transmission upgrades, maintenance and workforce training.

IAEA Nuclear Safeguards: Syria says it has started working with the IAEA to uncover and remove remnants of the al-Kibar nuclear site in Deir ez-Zor, and confirms placing 73 tons of natural uranium under IAEA safeguards as it moves to close a 15-year non-compliance file. Education & Language Policy: Syrian Kurds are pushing to preserve Kurdish-language schooling as Damascus reintegrates Kurdish areas, with a new decree allowing Kurdish instruction but falling short of a full Kurdish curriculum. Border Tech & Trade Flow: Jordan’s Jaber Border Crossing expands with a new freight yard for about 200 trucks and upgrades meant to speed entry and improve coordination for cargo and passengers. AI & Digital Security: Anthropic reports China-linked AI misuse targeting Uyghur diaspora communities, including surveillance and profiling across WhatsApp and Telegram, with plans to suppress media. Sanctions & Investment Outlook: Syria’s al-Sharaa says the country is “born again” after sanctions lifted, outlining growth targets and pointing to new regional investor interest, including projects tied to Tartus.

Nuclear Safeguards: Syria says it has placed 73 tons of natural uranium under IAEA supervision, after the IAEA board closed Damascus’s long-running nuclear noncompliance file and Syria granted access to the Deir ez-Zor site. IAEA Cooperation: Syria also renewed its push for a nuclear-weapon-free Middle East and says it’s pursuing peaceful nuclear uses like cancer care, agriculture, water management, and electricity. Medical Tech in Syria: A report highlights 3D-printed prosthetics reaching amputees in Idlib, with demand still far outstripping the number of prosthetics centers. Judicial AI in the Arab World: Arab judicial inspection bodies met in Oman to discuss using AI to support judges and improve quality checks, while warning against replacing human discretion. Regional Tech & Media: Syria’s President Ahmed Al Sharaa is set to speak at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, as the event spotlights how technology is reshaping Arab media. Climate Risk: A new study projects drylands could expand to about 40% of Earth’s land by 2100, reshaping ecosystems and stressing adaptation limits.

Medical 3D Printing in Syria: A prosthetics center in Idlib used 3D printing to fit a new artificial limb for a 7-year-old amputee, letting her return to school—highlighting how limited local capacity still leaves many of Syria’s estimated 86,000 amputees without timely care. Nuclear Safeguards Update: Syria says it placed 73 tons of natural uranium under IAEA safeguards after granting access to the Deir ez-Zor site, with the IAEA reporting it resolved outstanding safeguards questions about Syria’s past nuclear activities. Digital Payments Leap: QNB Syria and Mastercard launched locally issued Mastercard cards for international payments, expanding Syria’s card issuance and acceptance capabilities. Energy Tech Push: Saudi firm Cashin and Syria’s Ministry of Energy signed a deal to build a national digital “field to bank” platform for petroleum derivatives, aiming to connect operations and financial settlement for better oversight. AI + Courts in the Arab World: Oman hosted a judicial inspection meeting where Syria joined discussions on using AI to assess ruling quality and speed while protecting judicial independence. AI Misuse Watch: Multiple reports spotlight Anthropic’s findings on Claude being used for weapons development, cyber operations, surveillance, and fraud—raising fresh concerns for the region’s digital security.

AI Security in the Spotlight: Anthropic says its Claude model was repeatedly misused by state-aligned and non-state actors for cyberattacks, surveillance, propaganda, and even weapons and bioweapons research—warning that AI is lowering the cost and skill needed to run complex operations. Digital Payments in Syria: QNB Syria and Mastercard launched the first locally issued Mastercard card in Syria, with the Central Bank governor attending and the first international point-of-sale transaction processed to expand secure cross-border payment access. Education Pathways: Qatar Foundation’s Academic Bridge Programme (ABP) reported a 35% jump in applications and 40% higher enrolment for 2026–2027, with STEM the biggest track and a small international cohort including students from Syria. Adult Literacy Push in Syria: Syria’s Culture Ministry says about 4 million people are illiterate (around 20%) and is expanding adult education with new teaching methods and digital tools. Heritage vs. Development Risk: Rights groups warn Syria’s plan to convert Damascus’ Mezzeh military airport into a private aviation hub could disturb suspected mass graves and unresolved property disputes tied to the Assad era.

Syria Literacy Push: Syria’s Culture Ministry is scaling up adult education to tackle illiteracy after war and displacement left about 20% of Syrians unable to read or write, with 400+ literacy courses launched this year and plans to use digital tools. Damascus Aviation Controversy: Rights groups warn that converting Mezzeh military airport into a private jet hub could disturb suspected mass graves and unresolved Assad-era land disputes. Nuclear File Closure: Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan helped secure an IAEA board decision closing Syria’s Assad-era nuclear non-compliance probe, ending a 15-year investigation. Air Defense Rebuild: Syria’s Defense Ministry is collecting surviving air-defense remnants and plans repairs with Russian help to restore a basic defensive network. AI Misuse Watch: Anthropic reports AI is increasingly used for surveillance, propaganda, fraud, and weapons development—an operational shift that raises new security concerns. Regional Tech & Trade Signals: Jordan and Russia agreed to expand cooperation including ICT, while Jordan’s exports rose 9.2% in early 2026, with engineering and IT lagging.

Adult Education Push: Syria’s Culture Ministry says war and displacement have left about 20% of Syrians unable to read or write, with 4 million illiterate and 2.5 million children out of school; officials announced new literacy courses, updated teaching methods, and digital tools to reach excluded learners. Aviation & Rights Risk: Damascus plans to repurpose Mezzeh military airport into a private jet hub, but rights groups warn construction could disturb suspected mass graves tied to Assad-era detention and executions, alongside unresolved land claims. Nuclear File Closed: Morocco and other Arab partners helped the IAEA end its Assad-era Syria nuclear non-compliance probe, following inspector visits to declared sites. AI Misuse Watch: Anthropic reports Claude was used for cybercrime, surveillance, propaganda, weapons work, and even biological misuse attempts—pushing calls for stronger safeguards. Syria-Linked Tech & Trade: SYRIX Expo 2026 in Jeddah brought 160+ Syrian firms to Saudi Arabia to sign deals in food, textiles, chemicals, and engineering. Ancient Science, Local Roots: A study on Bronze Age Hama suggests “sophisticated” cooking using pots with different heating properties and imported ingredients.