The two Mideast powerhouses have been trying to block the rise of Islamist groups in the region for two decades. The rebel takeover in Damascus will test that approach.

By taking the lead in hosting Syria's new foreign minister, Riyadh is eying strategic opportunity to fill the US void, counter Iran’s waning influence and stabilize ties with Damascus through aid, partnerships and engagement with Islamist factions.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday sent another relief plane to Syria as part of an air bridge launched by the kingdom to assist Syria following last month’s fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Saudi state news agency SPA said the plane is loaded with food, medical supplies, and shelter materials, though specific quantities were not disclosed.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani has travelled to Saudi Arabia on the interim government's first international trip, as it seeks to build alliances and bolster its regional standing during a crucial transition period Countries in the region and beyond have reached out to the administration led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham leader Ahmad Al Shara

Syria's top diplomat said he hoped to open a "new, bright page" with Saudi Arabia upon arriving in the kingdom Wednesday, the first foreign visit for Syria's new rulers, who seized power last month."I have just arrived in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,

A high-level delegation from Syria's transitional government visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking their first foreign trip and signalling a warming of ties with the oil-rich monarchy. The team, including Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani,

Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in Riyadh in his first overseas visit since the removal of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

The foreign minister of Syria's interim government has visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar in a bid to establish new diplomatic relations.

Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani leads Syrian delegation to Riyadh on 1st official visit, signaling potential for strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia - Anadolu Ajansı

The media’s systematic non-reporting is not just academic. It has very real consequences. The lack of scrutiny and public debate about Britain’s clandestine intervention allowed Britain a relatively free hand in Syria, with all the dire consequences this produced — see the prescient warning from the two former Nato secretary-generals above.

The newly appointed foreign minister in the Syrian interim administration established after the fall of Assad said he accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart to visit the kingdom, which would be his first official visit abroad.

Years of civil war and recent natural disasters have left Syrians greatly in need of humanitarian aid, and international relief flights have begun delivering assistance.