As Trump returns, Iran's IRGC steps up Hormuz military drills: What to know Iran's influential hard-liners have long argued that closure of the oil-strategic strait can serve as a bargaining chip in any confrontation with Israel and the United States. Iran
27 Kurdish civilians, activists arrested in Iran following protests After protests over the death sentences of Kurdish political prisoners, Iranian authorities arrested at least 27 people across the Kurdistan region. Iran
Saudi Arabia seizes 1.4 million Captagon pills in latest drug bust Syria is the main source of Captagon shipments to the Gulf and the new authorities in the country have pledged to crack down on the trade. Saudi Arabia
Army to drop Pentagon's civilian harm mitigation office under Trump order Less than two years after it was established, the office — which emerged from an effort to address civilian harm in US campaigns targeting ISIS in Iraq — faces potential closure under Trump administration cuts. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Libya braces for Trump 2.0: Navigating geopolitics, energy, Abraham Accords With Turkey and Russia both competing for influence in Libya, the Trump administration could explore opportunities to strengthen energy security and encourage Tripoli to join the Abraham Accords. By Mohamed Eljarh
Analysis Defense pact and F-35 jets: Will Trump revamp Saudi military ties? Although arms sales remain a cornerstone of the US-Saudi relationship, frustration with the limitations of the defense partnership have spurred efforts by Riyadh to diversify. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
