AGP Executive Report

Digital Cooperation: Syria signed the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) charter, moving from candidate status toward full membership and aiming to expand cooperation in digital skills, startups, innovation, and investment. Water & Nuclear Tech: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and the IAEA launched a regional meeting on using nuclear techniques to protect groundwater under climate and pollution pressures, with Syria among participating countries working on vulnerability maps and protection zones. Education in Kurdish: Students in Kobanê boycotted classes after an education decree limited Kurdish-language instruction to three lessons weekly, demanding schooling in their mother tongue. Syria’s Higher Ed & De-Baathification: Damascus University’s Political Science Faculty is navigating a post-Baath transition, as new leadership tries to reshape curricula and academic freedom after the fall of Assad. Unexploded Ordnance: A charity reports Syria’s UXO continues to kill or injure people every six hours, underscoring ongoing safety and clearance needs.

Groundwater & nuclear science: Kuwait’s KISR and the IAEA launched a regional meeting on using nuclear techniques to assess pollution and climate impacts on groundwater, aiming to produce vulnerability maps and protection zones, with Syria among participating countries. Digital cooperation: Syria signed the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) charter, moving toward full membership and opening doors for digital skills, startups, innovation, and investment. Kurdish-language education fight: Students in Kobanê boycotted classes after a decree limiting Kurdish education to three lessons per week, demanding science and schooling in their mother tongue. Syria’s reconstruction diplomacy: Damascus International Fair wrapped with chants calling for “Al-Aqsa” and “liberation of Palestine,” while the event positioned Syria as reconnecting with global markets. Industrial know-how risk: An op-ed warns that when projects change hands, engineering “memory” can vanish—arguing AI should preserve design reports and field notes instead of replacing learning.

Digital Identity & Startups: Syria signed the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) charter, moving from signatory steps toward full membership and aiming to expand digital capability, talent, startups, and investment. Education in Kurdish: Students in Kobanê boycotted classes after a decree limiting Kurdish-language education to three lessons per week, holding Kurdish science textbooks and demanding schooling in their mother tongue. Energy Corridor Talk: Syria is again framed as an overland alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, with renewed attention on pipeline feasibility studies and corridor plans that could diversify regional export routes. UXO Risk: A charity reports Syria’s unexploded ordnance continues to kill or injure people every six hours, underscoring the tech-and-safety gap in postwar clearance. Archaeology & Heritage: A report highlights a rare seal with a deliberately erased name, pointing to lost identities in the region’s deeper past. Vulture Tracking: Eurasian griffon vultures rehabilitated in Saudi Arabia have been released and tracked to new home ranges in Armenia and Iraq, showing how conservation tech can restore wildlife across borders.

Syria Energy & Trade: Syria is pitching itself as an overland alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, with reports citing feasibility work and growing interest in corridor-style oil exports that could add redundancy if maritime routes stay disrupted. Regional Security Tech: A new wave of military-technical cooperation is being reported around the region, including Russia–Iran work tied to ramjet propulsion for supersonic cruise missiles, and broader talk of surveillance and drone support flowing through allied networks. Humanitarian Operations: Qatar Charity says its 2026 relief push has reached nearly 5.8 million people across 31 countries, with Syria among top response priorities for shelter, health, water, and education. Syria UXO Risk: A charity warns that unexploded ordnance continues to kill or injure people in Syria every six hours, underscoring the urgent need for clearance and safer recovery. Biodiversity & Tracking: Saudi-backed conservation released two rehabilitated Eurasian griffon vultures that have settled into wild home ranges in Armenia and Iraq after long regional movements that included Syria. Education & Digital IDs (Syria-adjacent): Separate coverage highlights how countries are accelerating digital public infrastructure and biometric identity systems—an approach Syria is also reported to be advancing.

Syria Energy Hub Push: Syria is pitching itself as an overland alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump praising the idea as oil routes face renewed Iran-linked disruption; Reuters says an Iraq-to-Mediterranean pipeline could take years and cost $15B, with feasibility support reportedly involving Chevron. AI From the Front Lines: Ukraine’s drone and sensor data is being turned into training material for AI systems, feeding a fast-growing, lightly regulated market as more than 100 companies and the UK gain access. Russian-Iran Tech Transfer: Financial Times reporting on Project C430L points to deeper Russia-Iran cooperation on ramjet propulsion for supersonic cruise missiles, though experts say it’s still early. Syria Chemical Weapons Destruction: Damascus has begun dismantling remaining Assad-era chemical munitions under OPCW supervision, including aerial bombs designed to mix agents before release. Identity & Tracking Tech: The US military disables advertising identifiers on government devices after warnings that location data can be used to track personnel in the Middle East. UXO Risk in Syria: A charity report says unexploded weapons keep killing and injuring people every six hours.

Syrian Chemical Weapons: Damascus has begun destroying remaining Assad-era chemical munitions under OPCW supervision, with aerial bombs dismantled as part of the long-delayed cleanup. Kurdish-Language Education: In Rojavayê Kurdistan, PYD-linked groups and students protested a new Education Ministry decision cutting Kurdish classes to three hours weekly, arguing it undermines scientific and medical instruction. Digital Identity & Payments: Syria’s digital public infrastructure push continues as Visa and Mastercard test international card transactions in Syria, while identity and credentialing tech firms highlight growing adoption of biometric verification. Humanitarian Tech & Aid: Qatar Charity reported major 2026 humanitarian spending reaching millions, with Syria among top response priorities; another survey found mutual aid covered 85% of displaced Lebanese households during the war. Syrian Security Shift: The SDF’s dissolution was announced in Damascus, with forces joining the Syrian army, reshaping the post-conflict security landscape. Local Innovation: A Syrian engineer in Ireland launched a multilingual driving theory test website for Arabic speakers, aiming to improve engagement beyond basic question banks.

Chemical Weapons Destruction: Syria has begun destroying the remaining Assad-era chemical weapons stockpile under OPCW supervision, with aerial bombs dismantled after years of delayed deadlines following the 2013 Ghouta sarin attack. Nuclear Oversight: A confidential IAEA report says a Syrian site visited by inspectors is “consistent with a nuclear reactor,” while also noting the former Assad regime failed to report nuclear material, facilities, and activities. Energy Corridors: With sanctions easing and Gulf routes shifting, Syria is positioning itself as an overland alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, including plans for an Iraq-to-Syria pipeline to Baniyas/Fishkhabour aimed at cutting tanker dependence. Kurdish-Language Education: In Rojavayê Kurdistan, the interim education ministry’s move to limit Kurdish classes to three hours per week sparked protests and PYD criticism, arguing Kurdish should remain the main language for scientific and medical instruction. Payments & Digital Identity: Paycode appointed Colin Digby as Chief Revenue Officer, highlighting offline-capable payments and digital identity tech already used in Syria and other high-friction markets.

Nuclear Transparency: The IAEA says inspectors found cooling infrastructure at Syria’s Deir Ezzor site “consistent with a nuclear reactor,” while reporting the former Assad regime “failed to report” nuclear material and facilities. Education Rights in Rojava: Kurdish-language classes are being cut to three hours per week, sparking protests in Cizîr and statements from the PYD that warn the change undermines science and medical instruction. Justice Debate: Syria’s court sentenced Bashar al-Assad to death, with critics calling it “performative justice” rather than real transitional accountability. Identity & Documentation Tech: A Kuwait nationality case used preserved DNA to challenge decades-old citizenship records tied to alleged Syrian nephews. Energy Corridors: Iraq is studying a 2 million bpd Basra–Haditha pipeline branching toward Syria’s Baniyas and Fishkhabour to diversify exports away from Hormuz. Aviation & Reopening: Menzies Aviation says Syria is on its radar for investment as travel and markets reopen after the US removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list. UXO Risk: A charity reports Syria’s unexploded weapons kill or injure people every six hours, keeping clearance and safety tech urgent.

Energy & Trade Routes: US President Trump praised Syria as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, while Reuters reports Iraq’s proposed oil pipeline through Syria could take four years and cost at least $15B, with early feasibility support from a Chevron-led consortium. Aviation & Investment: Menzies Aviation says it’s eyeing expansion in the Gulf, the US, and potentially Syria as the country reconnects with global travel and finance after being removed from a US terrorism-sponsor list. Defense Diplomacy: Turkey rejected claims that “SDF-affiliated foreign elements” will leave Syria for Türkiye, and also criticized Israel’s actions in Syria and Lebanon as expansionist and destabilizing. Regional Security Tech: Turkey and partners discussed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement’s move toward shared defense operations and deeper defense-technology cooperation. Agriculture & Food Systems: Syria reached wheat self-sufficiency for 2026 after receiving about 2.75M tons, exceeding estimated needs, with upgrades to storage, logistics, and digital systems. Nuclear Oversight: The IAEA confirmed about 73 tonnes of undeclared uranium linked to Deir el-Zour, renewing questions about Syria’s past fuel-cycle work. Education in Rojava: Kobanê University and academics protested a decree restricting Kurdish-language education, demanding it be revoked. Archaeology: Turkish researchers reported a rare seal whose owner’s name was deliberately erased, offering fresh clues about ancient Anatolia–northern Syria history.

Syria’s energy pivot: Thousands of tanker trucks are moving oil from Iraq’s refineries to Syria’s Baniyas port, as Damascus markets itself as a stable overland corridor and an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz—while a Chevron-led pipeline plan would scale the route to 2 million barrels per day. Reconstruction tech & finance: German firms, including PETKUS, are exploring investment in Syria’s agriculture with plans to bring German know-how in seeds, grain production, and logistics, plus training in Germany; the push comes alongside Syria’s gradual return to international payments after Visa and Mastercard processed first international card transactions. Earthquake safety research: UC Berkeley researchers say many people freeze or panic during shaking, meaning “drop, cover and hold on” guidance doesn’t always translate into action—an urgent lesson for Syria’s disaster preparedness. Identity & education support: UAE’s International Student Scholarship Programme backs 668 students from Syria and other MENA countries, with engineering and technology the biggest focus. Counter-drone export: Russia’s Rostec is marketing an export counter-drone system to Egypt, signaling how drone defense tech is spreading across the region. Diplomatic reshuffle: Pakistan appointed Sajjad Haider Khan as Foreign Office spokesperson, with prior postings including Syria.

Energy Corridor: Syria is pitching itself as a Middle East hub by moving oil and goods overland via Iraq-to-Baniyas routes, including a proposed Chevron-led pipeline that would mirror the current truck shuttles as Hormuz risks reshape trade. UXO Crisis: Mine-clearance groups warn unexploded ordnance is still killing or injuring about one person every six hours, with at least 2,375 casualties since the Assad fall and children among the victims. Nuclear Aftermath: The IAEA says Syria’s Deir ez-Zor reactor was under construction and that inspectors found about 73 tonnes of undeclared natural uranium in 2024, raising questions about what happened to the broader program. Defense Tech & Drones: Russia is marketing an export counter-drone system (Bizon) to Egypt, while drone warfare continues to redefine proxy conflict dynamics. Digital/Identity & Finance: Syria’s reintegration is accelerating as Visa and Mastercard begin international card transactions and the US delisting removes major barriers to investment and technology access. Industry Deal: Welspun Corp is exploring a Jordan JV for pipe manufacturing and advanced coating, a regional materials push that could support water and energy infrastructure. Education in Rojava: Kurdish-language education protests highlight ongoing policy fights over schooling and language rights.

Drug Discovery Tech: Researchers unveil AdaptiveFlow, an open-source AI platform that can virtually screen up to 69 billion molecules with far lower cloud compute costs, aiming to speed cancer-target inhibitor discovery. UXO Risk in Syria: A mine-clearance charity says unexploded ordnance is still killing or injuring people every six hours, with the real toll likely higher as Syria rebuilds. Syrian Digital Government: Syria is rolling out digital public infrastructure, including a “Civil Affairs” app for appointments and document verification, plus plans for biometric systems and payment upgrades. Biometric Credentials Push: FaceTec reports growing UR Code deployments for offline identity checks, while MOSIP’s Inji is evolving into an open credentialing platform for education, healthcare, transport, and more. Kurdish Language in Schools: Teachers and students in Kobanê and Hesekê protest education restrictions, demanding Kurdish-language access across scientific and literary subjects. Regional Diplomacy: Syria says it remains committed to US-mediated talks with Israel, despite reported Israeli incursions and detentions.

Kurdish Education in Syria: Syria’s Education Ministry has moved Kurdish from an elective into the official curriculum in areas with large Kurdish populations, adding three Kurdish lessons per week and allowing some subjects to be taught in Kurdish during the transition year. AI Infrastructure for Syria: Saudi AI firm aixplain and Syriatel signed a partnership at LEAP to deploy Saudi-developed “sovereign AI” across Syriatel’s network, aiming to power Syria’s digital economy with Arabic-first capabilities. Finance Re-Integration: Visa and Mastercard began international card transactions in Syria, signaling renewed global payment connectivity after Syria’s delisting and financial integration steps. Regional Tech & Security Context: Qatar is expanding its footprint in Syria and Lebanon through investment and mediation, including influence over electricity, aviation, communications, and banking—raising stakes for how tech and services shape the post-Assad transition. Cross-Border Corruption Tech Use: Malaysia’s MACC highlighted GlobE Network cooperation and the use of AI and technology in corruption investigations, underscoring the growing role of digital tools in tracking illicit financial flows.

Kurdish Education Expansion: Syria is moving Kurdish from an elective to a graded, in-curriculum subject across public and private schools in Kurdish-majority areas ahead of the new academic year, with three lessons weekly and options for key subjects in Kurdish. AI Infrastructure in Syria: At LEAP in Riyadh, aixplain and Syriatel formalized a partnership to deploy Saudi-developed, Arabic-first “sovereign AI” infrastructure across Syriatel’s network for 12+ million subscribers. Digital Economy Diplomacy: The Digital Cooperation Organization approved eight new member candidates—Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Zambia—expanding its digital-economy rulemaking footprint. Telegram Under Fire: A new report argues Telegram’s encryption and weak moderation helped extremist networks coordinate and recruit, renewing calls for platform accountability. Syria’s Financial Re-Integration: Coverage highlights Syria’s delisting and Visa/Mastercard international card payments as steps toward reconnecting with global finance. Regional Tech & Security Spillovers: Qatar’s expanding investments and mediation efforts in Syria and Lebanon are framed as building long-term influence beyond aid.

Syria’s Payments Come Back Online: Visa and Mastercard processed their first international card transactions in Syria after the US removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, with QNB Syria and Lebanon’s Fransabank completing cross-border tests—an early sign of financial reconnection. World Bank Tech for Recovery: The World Bank approved a $100M grant to modernize Syria’s financial sector, aiming for safer, faster, more transparent transactions and better access to services. Security Tech in the Region: Israel and Greece signed a ~€3B deal to build “Achilles Shield,” a multi-layer air-defense system combining David’s Sling, Barak MX, SPYDER, radars, and a national command-and-control network. Terror Finance Underground: A joint investigation reports Islamic State caches of cash and gold hidden in underground chambers across Iraq and Syria, including a recovered $47M haul. AI in Culture & Education: Kobani International Film Festival’s seventh edition will use AI tools for initial film screening before human selection, while a separate study warns students increasingly skip critical thinking when using chatbots.

Syria’s financial re-entry: Visa and Mastercard have started international card transactions in Syria, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly paying by Visa in Damascus after the US removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list—an early sign of banks and merchants reconnecting to global payment rails. Education in Rojava under pressure: The University of Rojava and Rojava University criticized new limits on Kurdish-language instruction, saying reducing Kurdish to three weekly classes harms science and applied learning. Medical AI research from Latakia: A Latakia University team published a survey mapping how deep reinforcement learning is being used for medical imaging, focusing on what design choices matter for different clinical tasks. Power-sector planning: A report argues Syria can rebuild its electricity system without repeating Jordan’s reform mistakes, stressing clear separation of regulation, transmission, and commercial operations. Reconstruction market signals: At the Damascus International Fair, foreign companies tested the waters for Syria’s reconstruction investment opportunities. Regional tech-military context: Coverage also highlights the growing role of drones and modern warfare tech across the region, including lessons drawn from Ukraine’s tech-driven battlefield shift.