Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
Houthis claim strike on Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu: What to know The incident is the latest in a string of Houthi attacks targeting Saudi oil and military assets. Yemen
Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for allowing Hamas to retain control over half of the Gaza Strip. Israel
Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years The wreck of the Irgun underground's Altalena ship, bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and deliberately sunk in 1949, was located off Israel's coast at a depth of 1,650 feet. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US strike in Baghdad kills Kataib Hezbollah commander as Iraq tensions simmer A Telegram channel affiliated with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) reported that Abu Baqir al-Saadi, a commander in Kataib Hezbollah, was killed in the attack. Iraq
Attack in Istanbul, Turkey's second in week, leaves 3 dead Authorities blame a far-left militant group for the attack, which claimed several bombings in Turkey over the past decades including a 2013 suicide bombing attack on the US Embassy in Ankara. Turkey
Why Iraq's dinar is trading below official dollar rate amid new restrictions A top US official visited Iraqi officials last week to discuss countering illicit finance and strengthening Iraq’s financial system. Iraq
Analysis Why did Kataib Hezbollah suspend attacks on US forces in Iraq? The Iraqi militia’s announcement was the result of Iranian influence and Iraqi political developments, analysts say, ahead of a looming US military response to the killing of American soldiers in Jordan. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Pentagon: US retaliation coming despite Kataib Hezbollah vow to suspend attacks President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he had already decided how to respond to Sunday's drone attack at the Tower 22 base in Jordan, the deadliest attack on US forces since the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. Iran
Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah announces suspension of attacks against US forces The decision follows a deadly strike on US forces in Jordan and ahead of anticipated retaliation by Washington. Iraq
After Jordan drone attack, US has few options to de-escalate with Iran The Biden White House faces increasing pressure to respond to the deadliest attack on the US military since 2021 as Israel's war in Gaza thrusts some 30,000 troops in the Middle East closer toward war with Iran and its proxies. Iran
What does ISIS' church attack in Turkey say about rise of Tajikistani militants? The shooting at a church in Istanbul marks the first Islamic State attack in Turkey since 2017 as the extremist offshoot ISIS-K seeks to expand. Turkey
Israel carries out strikes in Syria targeting south Damascus: government A number of Iranian IRGC members have been killed in strikes in Syria attributed to Israel in recent weeks. Syria
Two US Navy SEALs presumed dead after anti-Houthi raid: Pentagon The two special operators are presumed dead after attempting to board a stateless boat off Somalia earlier this month. Legacy: Gulf
What's behind Turkey's muted response to Iran-Pakistan escalation? Two considerations stand out in Turkey’s muted response to recent Iranian strikes in Iraq and Pakistan. Turkey
India secures trade, power with new naval role in Middle East Without aligning directly with the US-led mission against the Houthis in Yemen, the Indian navy's independent operations set a precedent for India's evolving military posture in West Asia and mark a departure from its traditional strategic restraint. By Mohammed Soliman In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics
