Nuclear Safeguards: The IAEA says Assad-era Syria had a nearly completed reactor configured to efficiently produce fissile material suitable for nuclear weapons, after inspectors uncovered cooling infrastructure and seized uranium/fuel stocks; Syria’s new authorities are working with the watchdog to place the material under safeguards. Energy & Trade Corridors: Analysis and reporting point to renewed interest in bypassing the Strait of Hormuz via land and pipeline routes, with Syria discussed as a possible transit node as Iraq–Syria oil links and related infrastructure proposals move forward. Cross-Border Logistics: Syria–Türkiye overland traffic surged in the first eight months of 2026, with about 1.23M travelers and nearly 46,500 trucks crossing Bab al-Salama/Öncüpınar, carrying roughly 1.1M tons of goods—supporting Syria’s push to strengthen border infrastructure and trade routes. Agriculture Under Fire: Israeli shelling in Quneitra damaged farmland and crops with no reported casualties, underscoring how conflict disrupts rural production. Labor & Demographics: Israel is reportedly considering allowing Syrian Druze workers into Israel mainly for agriculture, amid labor shortages and ongoing tensions tied to Syria’s Druze areas. Regional Security: Reports also note ISIS-related arrests in Kurdistan and continued cross-border military activity affecting stability and economic planning.