US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army. Lebanon
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests. Lebanon
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
'Scores' of migrants burned to death from Houthi projectiles in Yemen: HRW Human Rights Watch accused Houthi security forces of firing "unidentified projectiles" into a migrant detention center earlier this month. Yemen
Washington’s Afghan plan diplomatic godsend for Ankara A US peace plan for Afghanistan, involving intra-Afghan talks in Turkey, could offer Ankara a chance to raise its international profile and break the ice with Washington. Turkey
Belgian children and some women to be repatriated from IS camp in Syria. The Belgian prime minister said the children in the notorious al-Hol camp could become “the terrorists of tomorrow.” Women will be repatriated on a case-by-case basis. Syria
Syrian opposition accuses Kurdish forces of booby-trapping fuel trucks The Syrian armed opposition factions are accusing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces of planting explosive devices in fuel-laden trucks along the border with the opposition areas to prevent smuggling of fuel. Syria
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham intensifies campaign against al-Qaeda affiliate in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham presses on with its campaign to weaken Hurras al-Din. Syria
Egypt helps Sudan confront Brotherhood ideology through missionaries Egypt sent a missionary convoy of imams and preachers to several Sudanese regions, most notably the Darfur region, where protests and violence broke out amid accusations by the Sudanese government that the Muslim Brotherhood and members of ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's regime were behind them. Egypt
Iran denies involvement in Erbil rocket strike The Iranian Foreign Ministry said attempts to blame Tehran for the attack are "suspicious." Iraq
Militia attacks on US forces in Erbil challenges Iraqi government A rocket attack on a US base in northern Iraq is putting pressure on the Iraqi government and challenging the Biden administration's policy in Iraq. Iraq
Iraq finally makes arrests in killing of anti-government protesters Iraqi security forces arrested four suspects for allegedly killing Iraqi protesters and activists. Iraq
Is HTS reining in or expanding jihadist network in Idlib? Ansar al-Tawhid recently attacked a Russian operations room in the south of Idlib governate, killing and injuring several soldiers on the site, raising questions about the group’s identity and affiliations. Syria
Who benefits from attacks on Turkish forces in Idlib? Repeated attacks on Turkish posts and soldiers in Idlib are obstructing Turkish efforts to reopen the M4 international highway and cement the cease-fire, raising questions about the parties behind the attacks. Syria
HTS leader shocks popular base after interview with Western journalist Whenever Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani makes a media appearance, it causes a commotion among Syrian activists and analysts, the most controversial of which is his recent appearance in a suit. Syria
