In the Syrian capital, banks reopened for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, in a major step towards restoring normal life. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday that the U.S. fully supports Syria’s political transition process and wants it to lead to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance. Meanwhile, Israel pounded Syrian army bases on Tuesday in strikes it says aim to keep weapons from falling into hostile hands, but denied its forces had advanced into Syria beyond a buffer zone at the border. We spoke with Paul Salem, vice president for international engagement with the Middle East Institute, and the organization’s former president and CEO.