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
The unlikely war between Iran, Hezbollah and Israel Despite increasingly tough rhetoric and the launch of an operation along the border with Lebanon, Israel is unlikely to enter all-out war against Iran and its regional allies. Israel
Syria seeks to integrate myriad paramilitaries The Syrian government faces a "what now?" dilemma as it struggles to deal with all the militant groups it recruited to fight for the regime, along with rebels who have surrendered. Syria
USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group "Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place. Iraq
Will Turkey remain involved in Libya? Although some perceive Turkey’s walking out of the Palermo conference as stepping back from the Libya process, it doesn’t mean that Turkey is giving up its struggle for influence. Originals
Is Putin getting serious on Libya? As Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev led the Russian delegation to the Palermo conference on Libya, Moscow spoke of its economic interests in the country but, most importantly, was sending a strong political message to warring factions. Libya
Iran-backed PMU militias in Iraq raising profile Danish elite forces left the Iraqi-Syrian border area in late October against a backdrop of tension between Denmark and Iran. Iraq
Will Idlib buffer zone agreement see the light? The second item of the Turkish-Russian agreement on Syria’s Idlib providing for the withdrawal of jihadist organizations from the heavily demilitarized buffer zone is facing serious obstacles. Syria
Israel, Hamas should adopt ‘tacit bargaining’ Much like the tacit bargaining between Israel and Hezbollah following the IDF's 1996 Operation Grapes of Wrath, Israel must now negotiate with Hamas. Palestine
Iraqi court suspends Abadi's act to pull Fayadh from posts A court ruling puts Faleh al-Fayadh back at the helm of Iraq's National Security Council and the Popular Mobilization Units, at least for now. Iraq
Has Iran's influence increased in Palestinian arena? Shortly after the Palestinian Islamic Jihad named Ziyad al-Nakhalah to be its new secretary-general and elected member of the political bureau, Nakhalah threatened Israel and launched an intra-Palestinian initiative in his first political discourse. Palestine
How Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rival operates in northern Syria Al-Monitor interviewed the spokesman of the National Liberation Front, which includes several armed opposition factions in northern Idlib, to find out its goals and plans for the future. Syria
Violence abates during tentative truce in Tripoli After violent clashes rocked Tripoli, Libyan officials are calling on the United Nations to assume a military role to mediate between rival militias. North Africa
