Syria’s president returns to Arab League after years of spin and war crimes denial. Plus covering Ecuador’s narco trade.

Syria’s president returns to Arab League after years of spin and war crimes denial. Plus covering Ecuador’s narco trade.
As the Arab world normalises relations with Syria, US pushes for concessions from the Assad government, analysts say.
Hundreds gathered in northern Syria’s Idlib and surrounding towns to decry Syrian regime’s participation in Arab League.
Syrian president attends first regional bloc summit since suspension over crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011.
Washington ‘does not support’ push to normalise ties to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s gov’t, State Department says.
The agreements were signed in Damascus to bolster economic ties between war-torn Syria and longtime ally Iran.
President’s deputy says it also represents a failure of US policies in the region.
Syrian state media says Tuesday’s attack was the fourth of its kind in a week as Israel targets Iran-backed groups.
US Treasury officials say that the Assad government has used drug trafficking as a source of illicit revenue.
Sameh Shoukry also visited Turkey, both visits signalling warming ties between the countries.
Millions of people need help. In Syria, that’s especially complicated.
State Department says Turkey can count on US for ‘anything’ it needs in aftermath of devastating earthquakes.
Turkey’s Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Bashar al-Assad, but a reconciliation appears to be under way.
Attack hits Shayrat Airbase in the central province of Homs, Syrian state media report.