US weighs plans to slash troop presence in Syria by more than half Fewer than 1,000 US troops could remain in the country in order to retain limited oversight of ISIS prisons controlled by Kurdish-led forces across the country’s northeast, according to officials briefed on the latest plans. Syria
Analysis Iran claims upper hand in nuclear talks even as Trump floats military option The Iranian leader's comment came as the US president accused Tehran of dragging out the negotiation process and renewed threats of military action. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Witkoff’s enrichment U-turn sows confusion over Trump’s Iran strategy The Trump administration has offered mixed messages on whether it would tolerate some level of uranium enrichment by Iran. United States
Analysis From Rafales to railways: Egypt walks tightrope between China, West While Chinese investments reshape Egypt’s economy, structural trade imbalances and conflicting regional interests highlight the limits of this “golden decade” of cooperation By Dale Aluf In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East
France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria. Algeria
Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next week, where he is expected to meet with Trump officials. Israel
Jordan foils 'sabotage' plot involving rockets and drones, 16 arrested Jordan said the members of the group received training in Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed solidarity with the kingdom. Jordan
Over 200 arrested in Turkey, Europe in international drug bust: What to know Of the suspects, 225 were apprehended in Turkey and nine others were apprehended in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Belgium. Turkey
Lebanon’s Aoun visits Doha as Qatar, France send military support President Joseph Aoun’s trip to Qatar comes on the heels of his meeting with Saudi Arabia's envoy in Beirut. Lebanon
