Living crisis in Syria, anticipation of Geneva negotiations dominate media coverage

Arab media outlets on Tuesday morning highlighted the worsening living conditions in Syria, the ongoing debate in Iraq regarding the transfer of ISIS detainees, and the tense atmosphere surrounding the US–Iran negotiation round in Geneva.

Expanding shadow economy exhausts Syrians: monthly wage covers only three days

On the Syrian front, Al-Akhbar newspaper cited a research study showing that a Syrian family of four needs approximately 7.7 million Syrian pounds per month to secure minimum living requirements, while the cost of a decent standard of living reaches nearly 11 million pounds. This comes as the minimum wage does not exceed 750,000 pounds.

According to the study, the monthly salary covers only about 10% of basic needs, meaning it is sufficient for just three days.

The newspaper pointed to the growth of the so-called “shadow economy,” where essential services such as electricity, water, and telecommunications are priced according to the US dollar exchange rate. This has further widened the living gap, with expectations of additional cost increases in the coming months due to inflation and the ongoing “dollarization” of daily life.

It added that the absence of effective economic policies to curb inflation and stabilize prices, coupled with limited income and job opportunities, is pushing large segments of Syrians to rely on remittances or informal work, underscoring the fragility of living conditions and mounting social pressures.

Best option for handling the Syrian ISIS file

Al-Arab newspaper focused on the debate in Iraq over transferring thousands of ISIS detainees from prisons inside Syrian territory to Iraqi facilities, amid accelerating security and regional developments.

The report reviewed the positions of several senior Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, who discussed the strategic dimensions of the move compared to the potential risks of leaving the detainees under the control of current Syrian authorities, which Baghdad views as having weakened overall security control.

Some observers argue that leaving thousands of prisoners in Syrian jails could pose a direct security threat to Iraq and the region, particularly given institutional fragmentation in parts of Syria and the presence of extremist factions that could cooperate with detainees or attempt to free them.

Supporters of the transfer argue that Iraq would be able to place the detainees under tighter control, subject them to investigations and trials, and build an integrated security database to facilitate future tracking, especially since some include senior operatives who planned major attacks in previous years.

However, opposing views warn that the transfer would impose heavy financial and security burdens on Iraq and could create further complications if detainees were to escape or benefit from local networks.

These concerns also reflect sensitivities regarding the US role in the file, amid accusations that Washington pushed for the transfer after reducing its troop presence at several bases. Some positions warn that any renewed US military involvement in Iraq could reproduce instability, while others link the risk of ISIS resurgence to Syria’s security deterioration and declining state capacity.

Despite differing views, most observers agree that the threat posed by ISIS from the Syrian front is no less serious than other national security risks, stressing the need for high-level coordination among Iraqi security institutions to prevent any dangerous scenario that could enable the group’s resurgence.

US “green light” to Netanyahu overshadows Geneva nuclear talks

Regarding nuclear negotiations, An-nahar newspaper wrote that the second round of US–Iran talks in Geneva is being held in a foggy atmosphere hovering between the prospects of agreement and escalation.

It cited Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's remarks about seeking a “fair” agreement, contrasted with Israeli hardline positions expressed by the Prime Minister Netanyahu, who set conditions including ending uranium enrichment and dismantling missile capabilities.

According to the newspaper, the negotiations are unfolding amid mutual pressure messages and US warnings of military options should diplomacy fail, making the Geneva round a pivotal moment that could shape the region’s next phase.

A-H 

ANHA