Lebanon, Israel to hold second round of direct talks: What we know While Israel and Lebanon continue talks, Israeli airstrikes have persisted, and Hezbollah shows no sign of complying with disarmament requirements. Lebanon
Yemen's STC separatists advance in Hadramout as UAE-Saudi rift grows The fighting between the UAE-backed southern separatists and Saudi-aligned tribal forces, nominal allies against the Houthis, has raised concerns about the division of Yemen. Yemen
Who is Simon Karam, head of Lebanon’s delegation to talks with Israel? Karam is a veteran diplomat and a legal scholar who served as Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States from 1992 to 1993. Lebanon
US pressure prompted Israel-Lebanon talks to avert war with Hezbollah According to an Israeli security source, US envoy Morgan Ortagus’ visit was perceived in Israel as a warning that President Donald Trump will not accept Israel launching a large military campaign in southern Lebanon. Israel
Analysis A Trump bargain: Pardon Netanyahu in exchange for Israel-Syria security deal? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move reignites Israel’s battle over Raam By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt's Sisi, Saudi crown prince discuss Red Sea, Gaza, trade in Neom Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi headed to Saudi Arabia as the two countries continue to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation on regional and international issues. Egypt
Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria. Syria
Israel calls up 60,000 reservists as Egypt floats Hamas disarmament plan Egypt is reportedly offering to hold Hamas' arms while a deal to end the war is hammered out. Israel
US raid kills senior ISIS official near Syria's border with Turkey The US raid killed a senior ISIS official believed to be next in line for the group’s top leadership role, a US official said. Syria
Somaliland fumes over Turkish envoy's meeting with rebel figure: What to know As diplomatic tensions flare between Ankara and Hargeisa after a Turkish envoy met a rebel figure in Mogadishu, Ankara is downplaying the encounter as circumstantial. Somalia
Analysis In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu? Is Hamas really hoping that Israel rejects a deal and goes ahead with the Gaza City offensive, resulting in its further international isolation? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iraq begins exhuming ISIS mass grave at Al-Khasfa thought to hold 3,000+ victims In 2024, Human Rights Watch said that hundreds of thousands of victims remain buried in mass graves across Iraq, including those killed under former President Saddam Hussein. Iraq
Lebanon's PM slams Hezbollah chief for making 'threat of civil war' Tensions are rising as Lebanon’s government, under pressure from the US, moves forward with a plan to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Lebanon
Exclusive Contrary to Netanyahu's claims, Israel spy chief pushes partial Gaza deal in Qatar As the Israeli prime minister defends his plan to take full control of Gaza, Mossad chief David Barnea pushes for a partial ceasefire deal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UN: Syria's March violence saw ‘likely’ war crimes by Damascus, Assad remnants The United Nations noted deliberate targeting of Alawite civilians in its report on the killings along the Syrian coast and called on the government to expand its efforts in taking steps toward accountability. Syria
Iran’s Larijani in Lebanon as Beirut, Tehran spar over Hezbollah disarmament The visit of Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani to Beirut comes amid tensions between Lebanon and Iran following the approval of a plan to disarm the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which also rejected the move and vowed not to give up its weapons. Lebanon
Iran's Larijani seeks proxy revival in Iraq, Lebanon as regional axis falters Ali Larijani's first foreign visit to Iraq and Lebanon as top security official reflects Tehran's urgency to restore a shrinking strategic foothold and reinvigorate its battered Axis of Resistance amid shifting regional dynamics. Iran
