Druze gunmen, Syrian government forces clash in Suwayda: What to know The United Nations recently said that the government has thus far failed to bring calm to the area of southern Syria following sectarian clashes last year. Syria
Analysis For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild While the deal with Lebanon allows the Israeli military to maintain a presence there, security experts warn that it also gives the weakened Hezbollah the time it needs to recover. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
3 IRGC members killed in twin attacks as Iran intensifies Kurdish crackdown At least three members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in separate armed attacks across Iran, including one in western Iran near the border with Iraqi Kurdistan, where authorities have intensified their crackdown on Kurdish groups. Iran
Analysis Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias Iraq’s new prime minister has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign ahead of key talks in Washington, but analysts say the real test will be whether it reaches Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed actors. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
CENTCOM commander heads to Israel, Gulf as Lebanon talks stall By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iraqi armed factions using drones against US-led coalition Iraqi security and coalition forces are increasingly concerned about the use of drones by armed factions against military bases and airports. Iraq
Qatari foreign minister visits Egypt Relations between Qatar and Egypt have continued to improve following the January agreement that ended the Gulf diplomatic rift. Egypt
Libyan LGBTQ+ activists speak out on violence by extremist militias In Libya, amid the ongoing conflict and chaos, the country's first LGBTQ+ platform is fighting for a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. North Africa
Hamas sees possible cease-fire with Israel within days Israel rejected a prior truce offer, though the White House blamed Hamas. News Brief
Little-known groups target Turkish military presence in Syria Two little-known groups in northwest Syria are claiming responsibility for attacks against Turkish troops in the area, which some say may benefit al-Qaeda against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Syria
Hamas again threatens to strike Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad commander Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the operation ‘could take some time. I hope it won't take long, but it's not immediate.’ Palestine
Egypt to complete construction of New Rafah City New Rafah City is becoming a reality in northern Sinai, giving displaced Rafah residents hope for a new and secure life and Egypt a chance to better fight the Islamic State in the border area with the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Egypt
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham expands recruitment to all of Idlib province Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is offering young Syrians in the northwestern province of Idlib many incentives to join the militant group's ranks. Syria
WATCH: Israeli air force shoots down Hamas drone Hamas released footage purporting to show new drones that resemble widely exported Iranian models. Palestine
Israel calls up 9,000 reservists to Gaza as part of 'exceptional' mobilization Units from three brigades are readying plans for a ground incursion, pending approval by Israel's political leaders Palestine
Palestinian resistance in Gaza vows to not back down against Israel The Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip followed up on their pledge to attack Israel should it continue its violations against Palestinians in Jerusalem. Palestine
Hamas open to halting hostilities with Israel, Russia says Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has ruled out a cease-fire for now. News Brief
