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
US sends diplomat to urge calm as Israel, Hamas fighting escalates Hady Amr, the top State Department official on Israeli-Palestinian affairs, will push for both sides to de-escalate. Israel
Intel: US reaches out to Egypt over Israel-Palestine violence The Egyptians may talk Hamas off the ledge, but both the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian militants may stand to politically benefit from a prolonged conflict. Palestine
US Senator, White House push for Yemen peace in regional tour As the Houthi rebels struggle to take Marib, Senator Chris Murphy says the time for peace is now. Yemen
Jerusalem violence reignites tension between Gaza, Israel Palestinian factions in Gaza resumed rocket attacks against Israel amid ongoing violence in Jerusalem. Palestine
US sanctions 7 over Hezbollah finances The sanctions indicate continued US pressure on the Lebanese organization under US President Joe Biden. Lebanon
Islamic State takes border station in Iraqi desert with 'drug smuggling wali' A recent incident along Iraq’s western border and alleged connections between drug smuggling and Islamic State cells in the area have raised concern. Iraq
Erdogan’s reset with Egypt and the Gulf won’t be smooth The Turkish president wants a change in relations, but his efforts are seen as the result of a failed regional strategy and poor ties with the Biden administration. Turkey
Member of Boogaloo movement expresses 'regret' for attempting to help Hamas Two members of the anti-US government Boogaloo movement have pleaded guilty to attempting to support the Palestinian military organization Hamas. News Brief
Iraqi authorities nab Islamic State 'governor' of Fallujah Abu Ali al-Jumaili's arrest comes as Kurdish-led forces captured another IS official across the border in Syria. Iraq
US soldier faces criminal charges over firefight with Syrian regime Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson is accused of recklessly endangering his own men by allegedly bringing them into close contact with Syrian pro-regime forces. Syria
Turkey broadens pay phone probes to nab Gulenist soldiers A fresh judicial probe targeting hundreds of suspected Gulenist soldiers shows that purges in the Turkish military are far from drawing to an end. Turkey
What killing of Chadian president means for Egypt The killing of Chadian President Idriss Deby causes Egyptian security concerns. Egypt
