The last time ties between Ankara and Damascus improved, in the late 2000s, Turkish goods flooded Syria, helping to fuel a consumer boom. Demand was even high for Turkish SIM cards in border areas, to avoid eavesdropping by Syrian authorities.
The two countries had strained relations over Syria's support for the Kurdistan Workers Party, a separatist group fighting against the Turkish government.
The opening was part of a wider foreign policy realignment by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to improve Turkey's standing in the Arab world. The rapprochement was a win-win, helping Syrian President Bashar Al Assad break international isolation over his country's suspected role in the assassination of Lebanese statesman Rafik Hariri, while Turkey gained regional influence and economic benefits.
The main loser was anti-Turkish Kurdish militia fighters based in Syria, where they had enjoyed decades of sanctuary.
Between 2007 and 2010, in response to demands by Ankara, Syrian security forces rounded up Kurdish militia commanders, before a secret court in Damascus sentenced them to long jail terms.
But after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war with Syria splintered into different zones of control, Turkey backed Sunni rebels and carved out an area of influence near the border, while US-backed Kurdish separatists seized control of parts of northern and eastern Syria.
Turkish forces and their proxies have clashed with the Syrian army and its Iranian backers several times.
Now, after years of tense relations, the potential for another reconciliation between Ankara and Damascus appears to be gaining traction.
Neither Ankara nor Damascus has provided a clear road map or timeline to normalisation. But on board a plane after returning from watching the Turkish football team exit the Euro 2024 tournament in Berlin, Mr Erdogan renewed an offer to meet Mr Assad, underlining the need to resolve the civil war.
"We have now come to such a point that if Bashar Al Assad takes a step towards improving relations with Turkey, we will show that approach towards him," Mr Erdogan said.
Moscow and Tehran, Mr Assad's two closest allies, both support their possible reconciliation, and Mr Erdogan said Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend the proposed meeting with Mr Assad.
Iran has been also using its regional contacts to urge Mr Erdogan to normalise, seeking to strengthen its regional position against Israel by bringing Turkey closer to the anti-Israel "Axis of Resistance".
Turkey has taken a tough stance against Israel and in support of Iran-backed Hamas in the Gaza war.
Rapprochement with Ankara would be a major diplomatic victory for Mr Assad, who wants Turkey and the US out of Syria, and to end his isolation, a process that began last year with the restoration of ties with many Arab countries.
Mr Erdogan also hopes to gain from the move. The Turkish President has three main goals, according to diplomats and members of the Syrian opposition briefed by Turkish officials.
First, he wants Syrian security forces to launch sustained military action against US-backed Kurdish militias in north-west Syria. Turkey's government is fiercely opposed to the Kurdish militias, whose allied separatists have carried out attacks across the border in Turkey. Second, Ankara wants Mr Assad to guarantee the safe return of masses of Syrian refugees who are currently living in Turkey.
Third, it wants talks to resume on a political solution to the war that takes account of Turkish interests in reconstruction and other postwar arrangements.
Mr Erdogan described this potential solution to the war as a "new inclusive social contract".
However, experts have warned Mr Erdogan is unlikely to achieve these goals.
“Even the Turks do not see a real possibility of Assad conceding to anything substantial,” one European diplomat said. “His strategy throughout the war has been not to compromise and rely on Russia for protection.
"Assad has an interest, like Erdogan, in seeing the Kurds undermined, but the United States is in the way," he said.
But even if Mr Erdogan does not achieve his major strategic goals, he could still stand to gain from meeting Mr Assad. The Turkish government faces growing domestic pressure to send Syrian refugees back across the border, and talks could project the image that Mr Erdogan is addressing the public's concerns.
Former Turkish diplomat Omer Onhon said even if Mr Erdogan achieves “a handshake and a kiss" with Mr Assad, it would not solve Turkish concerns as far as the Kurdish militias and refugees.
“He has abandoned this [former] policy of a Syria without Assad," said Mr Onhon, who was ambassador to Syria at the outbreak of the revolt against Mr Assad in 2011.
"This is a very long process," he said.
Serhat Cubukcuoglu, senior researcher at TRENDS Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi, did not rule out a meeting between Mr Erdogan and Mr Assad, but suggested it was unlikely to produce a political outcome.
“Even if Assad meets with Erdogan, I think the aim is to have a photo op, to appear as having shaken hands, and for Erdogan to both satisfy his domestic interlocutors and his foreign partners," Mr Cubukcuoglu said.
Lizzie Porter reported from Istanbul and Nada AlTaher reported from Abu Dhabi.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
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ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
RESULTS
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The five pillars of Islam
