Jordan, which faces new regional challenges in dealing with Syria’s transitional Islamist regime, is pursuing a strategy of containment through engagement to secure its long, shared border, analysts say.

( MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN - The Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone will resume operations on Monday, Minister of Industry, Trade and supply Yarub Qudah said on Sunday. Qudah emphasised Jordan's commitment to supporting Syria's reconstruction efforts and enhancing cooperation with Damascus, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Jordan said on Thursday that it will resume its air flights to Syria as of Jan. 31 after a 13-year suspension. The Royal Jordanian Airlines said flights to the Syrian capital, Damascus will operate four times weekly, connecting the city to a network of over 45 destinations across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and the Gulf countries.

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Abazeed met with Germany’s temporary representative in Syria Bjorn Gehrmann on Wednesday, in the first such meeting of a European Union official since Islamist rebels seized power from the Assad regime last year.

Syria's change of government last month has spurred a flurry of diplomatic activity. Turkish and Qatari delegations have visited Damascus, while al-Shibani embarked on trips to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. These efforts aim to rebuild ties with regional powers and advocate for the lifting of Western sanctions.

This new non-stop service four times weekly will be an addition to the existing daily bus routes offered by Royal Jordanian

Royal Jordanian (RJ) announced on Thursday it will resume direct flights to Damascus later in January, ending a 13-year suspension of flights to Syria's capital. The national carrier will be among the first airlines to resume direct flights to Damascus,