Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha The US-Iran decision to launch direct talks between the IRGC and CENTCOM in Qatar deepens the rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while heightening Israeli fears that Washington is shifting toward Doha and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
CENTCOM commander heads to Israel, Gulf as Lebanon talks stall Israel's top defense official said his country would not withdraw from Lebanon despite diplomatic pressure from Washington as it seeks rapprochement with Iran. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. Turkey
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Fears in Lebanon that US-Iran deal boosts Hezbollah without restraining Israel By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Israel strikes Yemen airport, claims Houthis' last plane destroyed In response to several missile attacks by the Houthis, the Israeli military struck Yemen's international airport in Sanaa on Wednesday morning. Israel
US-backed Gaza aid body launches as Witkoff pans Hamas truce proposal: What to know Hamas said it accepted a US proposal on a ceasefire deal in Gaza, which both Israel and the US denied, as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is quickly deteriorating. Palestine
Trump appoints Turkey ambassador Tom Barrack as envoy to Syria: What to know Tom Barrack's dual role is likely to give Trump more direct finger on the pulse of his Syria policy as the president has vowed to lift decades of US economic sanctions to give the country's people "a chance at greatness." Syria
What we know about Elias Rodriguez, suspect in attack on Israeli Embassy staff in DC The 30-year-old man from Chicago is suspected of killing Israeli embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. United States
3 killed in attack on Russia’s Hmeimim base in Syria: Monitor Russia is aiming to maintain its military bases in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, while a number of Syrians are currently sheltering at the Hmeimim air base. Syria
Mahmoud Abbas declares from Lebanon ‘era of weapons outside state' over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in Lebanon for a high-level visit that will focus on the spread of weapons inside Palestinian camps and ways to remove them. Lebanon
Analysis First in 8 years: Abbas visits Lebanon amid push to disarm Palestinian camps Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is en route to Beirut, where authorities have intensified pressure on Hamas operatives. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Rubio warns Syria’s government could collapse in weeks, triggering civil war The top US diplomat made the case for sanctions relief and renewed engagement with the transitional government in Damascus to prevent "full-scale civil war." Syria
Turkey’s intel chief Kalin makes surprise visit to Syria, meets Sharaa Kalin's visit comes as a Turkish delegation arrives in Washington to discuss sanctions relief on Syria with the Trump administration. Turkey
Why US is offering $10M reward for info on Hezbollah in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay Hezbollah maintains a presence in South America’s tri-border area as well as in friendly Venezuela. Lebanon
Kamil Idris named new Sudan’s PM as conflict escalates: What to know Idris’ appointment marks the country’s first official prime minister since 2022, as Sudan remains mired in a devastating war between the army and the RSF. Sudan
Israeli Mossad retrieves entire archive of Eli Cohen from Syria: What we know The announcement of the secret operation that recovered 2,500 documents from Syria coincided with the 60th anniversary of Cohen’s execution. Israel
