Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him. Iraq
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
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
Will Iran-backed factions attack US troops in Iraq? Pro-Iranian militias in the Popular Mobilization Units are calling for taking strong action against the United States and for even targeting its presence in Iraq. Iraq
Gaza’s Islamic Jihad openly at the service of Iran Hamas no longer tries to conceal the growing involvement of Iran in Gaza through its proxy Islamic Jihad. Palestine
Abbas Combat Division, an example of Iran-independent faction The Al-Abbas Combat Division, which is part of the Popular Mobilization Units, has no link with Iran and has a long history of cooperation with the Iraqi army and the US-led coalition against Islamic State. Saudi Arabia
Who's behind explosions at PMU militia sites in Iraq? As attacks on Iran-backed militias' facilities in Iraq continue, Israel actually hints it may be behind them. Iraq
US sanctions on a Christian militiaman reignite conflict among Iraqi Christians As the United States imposes sanctions on a Christian militiaman, conflict among Iraqi Christians flares up. Iraq
How Syrians in Kurdish areas get rid of extremism Following the arrest of an Islamic State cell in Hasakah in northeastern Syria, citizens were concerned about the ongoing presence of extremism in their areas despite the group’s defeat. Syria
Syrian city bans face coverings to fight crime, terror The local council in Azaz has prohibited civilians and armed forces from wearing masks and other face coverings in an attempt to make it harder to evade identification when committing a crime. Syria
Shiite military factions have long way to integrate into state forces Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's decree about the Popular Mobilization Units, they have a long way to go to integrate into state forces. Iraq
Why US sanctions won’t affect Hezbollah’s popular support US sanctions on the Lebanese Hezbollah group appear to have affected the party’s various wings financially, including the construction association known as Jihad al-Binaa, but popular support and projects are still going strong. Lebanon
Has Egypt failed to secure Sinai? Successive terrorist operations in just 24 hours clearly reveal the plan of terrorist groups to intensify terrorist attacks in the northern Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Iraq seeks Iranian assistance to curb militias' reign Iraq's prime minister made a surprise visit to Tehran to request Iranian help in controlling Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iraq
Hamas, let down by the Gulf states, revisits ties with Syria Hamas’ leaders have been exploring the restoration of ties with Syria in light of Gulf countries' engagement with the United States on a peace deal and therefore their increasing normalization of relations with Israel. Legacy: Gulf
