Analysis Why Trump’s push for Syria to confront Hezbollah is an unlikely bid Trump’s proposal faces resistance from Damascus, skepticism from experts and opposition across Lebanon’s political spectrum. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon President Donald Trump insisted he has a great relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but criticized the scale of Israel’s strikes in Lebanon. Syria
Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanon imports: What to know Saudi Arabia had been a main donor for Lebanon before ties strained during Hezbollah’s rising influence in the country. Lebanon
Hezbollah calls on Lebanon to 'correct' relations with Iran Lebanese President Joseph Aoun recently told Iran to stay out of the country’s affairs, drawing a rebuke from Tehran. Lebanon
Analysis 'We are already hearing the bus': Israeli insiders fear Netanyahu is losing Trump’s backing on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Israel’s Lebanon endgame remains elusive despite ceasefire deal By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Why Israel sees Lebanon’s 'pilot zones' as path to containing Hezbollah By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US labels deputy head of Iraq’s PMU a terrorist The United States accused Abu Fadak of involvement in kidnappings and of attempting to align Iraq's security institution's with Iran's foreign policy. Iraq
Iraq regains confidence in dealing with outlawed militias Ahead of the one-year anniversary of a US-targeted drone assassination in the Iraqi capital that outraged some and pleased others, arrests made and warrants issued may signal progress in the struggle to curb the influence of armed groups operating outside government control. Iraq
Sudan joins forces with Egypt to crack down on Muslim Brotherhood Since former President Omar al-Bashir's overthrow, Sudan and Egypt are boosting cooperation to confront extremist ideas and groups. Egypt
PKK remains thorn in side of Turkish-Iraqi relations The Iraqi government needs Turkey to counterbalance Iran and help alleviate Baghdad's economic problems, but the Kurdish issue, which has long strained bilateral ties, might further snag progress in economic and strategic projects. Iraq
Iraqi government arrests suspects after rockets aimed at US Embassy As the one-year anniversary of the killing of Iranian general Qasem Solaimani approaches, several rockets have again been shot at the US Embassy in Baghdad; suspects have been arrested. Iraq
Despite attempt at makeover, Syria’s HTS remains on US terror list Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been trying to present itself as a moderate group seeking to have its name removed from the international terrorist list, but these attempts are failing after the United States recently designated it among the "Entities of Particular Concern." Syria
Three dead in Sinai bombings The Egyptian military has reported several operations against Islamist insurgents in the Sinai Peninsula recently. Egypt
Armed groups target liquor shops in Iraq Shops selling alcoholic beverages in Baghdad are constantly targeted. Some Iraqis see this as part of the war on their personal freedoms. Iraq
Shiite factions close to Sistani move to separate from Iran-backed militias Brigades close to top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani announced the formation of a mobilization force affiliated with the chief of staff of the Iraqi armed forces, rather than Iran. Iraq
Turkish government voices support for Afghan peace process The head of Afghanistan's peace negotiations with the Taliban visited Ankara on Thursday as talks continue in Doha. Qatar
Will Sudan hand over Islamists to Egypt? During a recent meeting, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, discussed the handover of members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood to Cairo. Egypt
Syrian extremist group in Idlib breaks with jihadist ideologue When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was first established, it taught its members the approach of prominent jihadist ideologue Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, but it has now severed ties with him and recanted his ideology. Syria
![A general view shows the US embassy across the Tigris river in Iraq's capital Baghdad on January 3, 2020. - The US embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq to "depart immediately", for fear of fallout from a US strike that killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [2020] instead of [2019]. Please immediately remove the erron](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2020/12/GettyImages-1191358629.jpg/GettyImages-1191358629.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=dAlkQp_Q)
