Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What Syria and Israel’s new communications cell really signals The deal reached in Paris under US mediation reflects a rare step toward managing tensions but stops short of halting Israeli military strikes or producing a broader security pact. By Rosaleen Carroll , Rina Bassist
Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know Syrian authorities have stepped up operations targeting smuggling attempts mainly destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon since the fall of President Bashar al‑Assad’s regime last year. Syria
Ankara open to US mediation role in Turkey-Greece row with conditions: Source A Turkish source told Al-Monitor that Ankara could be receptive to the idea of the US playing a role in easing tensions with Greece. Turkey
Analysis Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As it prepares for Hezbollah’s retaliation, Israel anticipates limited fighting in Lebanon By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel escalates Lebanon attacks amid US frustration over Hezbollah disarmament Lebanon has been under growing pressure from the US to completely disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, which emerged weakened from its war with Israel. Lebanon
Feature Trump eyes Algeria-Morocco rift over Western Sahara in latest peace bid With the world’s attention fixed on the Gaza ceasefire, the Trump administration has its sights set on another diplomatic deal: Western Sahara. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iran to host Pakistani interior minister as border security, trade talks advance Iran is finessing its relations with Pakistan, seeking to bolster border security and increase trade in response to sanctions. Iran
‘No one wants to return to war,’ Lebanon’s Aoun tells US general overseeing ceasefire Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire that ended last year’s war with Israel to pressure the latter to end its daily attacks on Lebanon. Lebanon
Iraq's security chief visits Iran, steps up border and railway cooperation: What to know Iraqi national security adviser Qasim al-Araji’s trip to Iran focused on efforts to deal with Kurdish groups on the border and a much-delayed railway linkage between the two countries. Iraq
Israel launches heaviest wave of strikes in south Lebanon since ceasefire The Israeli escalation came just a day after the US military praised the Lebanese army’s progress in disarming Hezbollah. Lebanon
Fearing fallout, Iran calls for cohesion amid shaky Afghanistan-Pakistan truce The Islamic Republic is particularly concerned about the presence of the Islamic State-Khorasan branch in Afghanistan. Iran
US approves $230M for Lebanon’s push to disarm Hezbollah New US funds for Beirut signal rare bipartisan approval for progress by Lebanon's security forces as they dismantle Hezbollah weapons caches, but significant risks remain as the militant faction resists full disarmament. United States
In first visit in 25 years, Syrian FM pushes sanctions relief in Washington Asaad al-Shibani’s visit to Washington comes as Syria seeks sanctions relief and engages in US-mediated talks with Israel on a security agreement. Syria
Turkey’s spy chief in Damascus as Israel, Syria weigh new security map Ibrahim Kalin’s visit comes as Israel presses Syria on a buffer zone plan and Turkey frets over Kurdish autonomy. Turkey
Armenia's Pashinyan drops Mount Ararat from border stamps in 'concession' to Turkey Armenia’s government will stop using Mount Ararat on border stamps starting in November, a move that has stirred outrage at home and fueled debate over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s outreach to Turkey. Turkey
Iran says 13 militants in Baluchestan killed as insurgents exploit postwar weakness The large-scale operation in Sistan-Baluchestan underscores persistent instability in the volatile, impoverished province, where Sunni militants have intensified attacks since the Iran-Israel conflict. Iran
