Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Sudanese repair crew work at the Heglig oil facility, after Sudan started pumping oil again from the war-damaged oil field on May 2, 2012, 12 days after occupying South Sudanese troops left the area.

RSF seizes Sudan’s largest oilfield: What to know

The Heglig oil field is the largest in Sudan and a key facility for South Sudan, which relies heavily on Heglig to export its oil.

Israeli Druze from Majdal Shams crossed into Syria on July 16, 2025, to assist relatives in nearby villages following a reported massacre of Druze civilians by Syrian army forces and allied militias.

Analysis

Under US pressure, Israel softens Syria tone but is wary of Sharaa

The Trump administration has been pressuring Israel to reach a security deal with Syria, but talks are at a stalemate as both sides hold firm.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Security personnel from the Syrian Ministry of Interior stand outside the Justice Palace ahead of the first trial of more than a dozen suspects linked to massacres that left hundreds dead in Syria's Alawite coastal heartland earlier this year, in Aleppo on November 18, 2025. The first trial of more than a dozen suspects linked to massacres that left hundreds dead in Syria's Alawite coastal heartland earlier this year began on November 18, an AFP journalist in the courtroom said. The massacres in March, whic

Feature

A year since Assad’s fall, Aleppo trial tests Syria’s transitional justice

Syria recently launched its first open trial on the deadly sectarian violence in March, but questions about judicial independence and political influence make the upcoming hearings a major test of accountability in post-Assad Syria as the first anniversary of Assad’s fall approaches.

Alessandra Bajec

By Alessandra Bajec

An Israeli military tank patrols along the border fence separating northern Israel from southern Lebanon on November 24, 2025. Hezbollah held the funeral on November 24 for its top military chief and other members of the militant group a day after Israel killed them in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long?

The US blocked Israel from widening its strikes on Hezbollah this week, yet another flare-up in their enduring conflict seems likely despite first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Lebanon, Israel to hold second round of direct talks: What we know

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech during a meeting of Pope Leo XIV with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images)

Yemen's STC separatists advance in Hadramout as UAE-Saudi rift grows

Fighters affiliated with Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) man a position as they deploy amid tensions in the southern port city of Aden, on February 3, 2022, after Washington announced sending a warship and fighter jets to help defend its Gulf allies as conflict with Yemeni rebels intensifies. (Photo by Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP) (Photo by SALEH AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Who is Simon Karam, head of Lebanon’s delegation to talks with Israel?

Simon Karam

US pressure prompted Israel-Lebanon talks to avert war with Hezbollah

US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 18, 2025.

Yemeni coastguard members loyal to the internationally-recognised government ride in boats in the Red Sea off of the government-held town of Mokha in the western Taiz province, close to the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Ziad / AFP) (Photo by KHALED ZIAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Day 86 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Dec. 31

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on Dec. 30, 2023.

Day 85 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Dec. 30

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Day 84 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Dec. 29

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Day 83 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Dec. 28

Honor guards carry the coffin of Sayyed Razi Mousavi.

Funeral held for Iran's IRGC commander killed by Israel as Tehran vows revenge

Iran said Sayyed Razi Mousavi was killed in an Israeli strike in Syria. The death of the commander, who was mourned in Syria and Iraq, could ignite war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Smoke billows over the northern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment from southern Israel on December 27, 2023 amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Day 82 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Dec. 27

Day 81 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Dec. 26

Day 80 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Dec. 25

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10, 2023, shows smoke rising above the northern part of the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Day 79 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Dec. 24

A picture taken during an organised tour by Yemen's Huthi rebels on November 22, 2023 shows the Galaxy Leader cargo ship (R), seized by Huthi fighters two days earlier, approaching the port in the Red Sea off Yemen's province of Hodeida. The Bahamas-flagged, British-owned Galaxy Leader, operated by a Japanese firm but having links to an Israeli businessman, was headed from Turkey to India when it was seized and re-routed to Hodeida November 19, according to maritime security company Ambrey. The Huthis said

Day 78 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Dec. 23

A Palestinian man walks past a graffiti on a wall showing the Star of David under an inverted "red triangle", a symbol used by the Palestinian Hamas movement's military wing al-Qassam Brigades to identify Israeli targets in their videos, in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on December 16,2023. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Hamas popularity triples in West Bank since Oct. 7, US support at 0%

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research’s most recent public opinion poll shows most Palestinians support Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel despite the death in Gaza and do not believe the group committed atrocities.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10, 2023, shows smoke rising above the northern part of the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Day 77 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Dec. 22