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
Top US general discusses SDF integration with Sharaa in Damascus The CENTCOM commander's involvement adds heft to US diplomatic requests as lawmakers float future defense ties between Washington and Damascus. United States
Analysis Netanyahu scrambles as Gulf states push Trump to sanction Israel over Doha strikes In an unusual move reflecting the difficult position Netanyahu placed the administration in, the United States supported a United Nations Security Council statement on Thursday condemning the Israeli strike. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel lays siege to West Bank's Tulkarm after military vehicle hit by explosive device Israeli troops sealed off entrances to the city of Tulkarm after an explosion hit a military vehicle as months of raids and mass displacement continue in the city’s refugee camps. Palestine
Qatari emir attends Hamas members’ funeral in Doha after Israeli strikes The funeral for the Hamas members and the Qatari corporal killed in the Israeli strikes was held at a prominent mosque in Doha. Qatar
Syria claims Hezbollah cell plotting attacks arrested in Damascus: What we know Syrian authorities have announced the arrest of a Hezbollah cell in Damascus. Syria
Pentagon OKs $14.2M for Lebanon's army to dismantle Hezbollah sites The demolition gear and patrol equipment are aimed at bolstering Lebanese forces tasked with dismantling Hezbollah’s remnants amid fears of a sectarian flare-up. Lebanon
RSF, political allies claim responsibility for Khartoum drone strikes: What to know As Sudan’s army presses a new offensive in Kordofan and Darfur, the RSF and an allied coalition claimed rare responsibility for drone strikes on Khartoum. Sudan
EU Commission chief seeks sanctions, partial trade freeze on Israel: What to know The proposal comes in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, but divisions among the EU’s 27 member states make it uncertain whether the measures will be adopted. Israel
Analysis Trump fumes, Hamas scoffs: Will Israel’s Qatar strikes backfire? While the targeted Hamas leaders' fate is unknown, it is clear that the United States is unhappy with Tuesday’s strike and that Qatar will distance itself from mediating a Gaza ceasefire deal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov released from captivity in Iraq Tsurkov was kidnapped in Baghdad more than two years ago by the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah, prompting the US government and her family to work for her release. Iraq
CENTCOM commander meets Egypt’s Sisi in Cairo The Navy admiral’s visit comes as Pentagon officials aim to draw the North African state closer to Washington’s orbit and coordinate multilateral efforts to deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Egypt
Sudan accuses UAE of hiring Colombian mercenaries in UN complaint Sudan’s complaint claims 350 to 380 Colombian mercenaries were recruited by Emirati security firms to fight alongside the RSF. Sudan
