Breaking | Last Updated: April 27, 2026, 3:43 pm Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests. Lebanon
Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests. Israel
Syria arrests Amjad Youssef, Tadamoun massacre perpetrator: What to know Amjad Youssef appeared on video, allegedly killing dozens of civilians in 2013; he is the latest member of the Assad regime to be captured by the new Syrian government. Syria
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17 Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Turkey’s Fidan calls Hamas leader, Israeli hostages in Gaza discussed The phone call comes after the Turkish president said last week that his government was working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages. Turkey
Back in Israel, Blinken tries to reach a deal on opening Gaza's Rafah crossing On a second visit in four days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Israel
Day 10 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct. Ten days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
France's top diplomat discusses hostages in Israel, ahead of Lebanon visit French Minister Catherine Colonna met today in Israel with her counterpart Eli Cohen and with families of French-Israelis missing and kidnapped by Hamas before next traveling to Lebanon. Israel
Day 9 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Oct. 15 Nine days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Israel’s intelligence blunder on Gaza: Misreading Hamas abilities, intentions Whether a result of hubris or something more mundane, Israel severely underestimated Hamas’s operational capabilities and intentions, believing that the group was content to sit on the sidelines, even as other groups like Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were on the attack. By Colin P. Clarke In Pittsburgh, US, reporting on counterterrorism, militancy
Day 8 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 14 Eight days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Day 7 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Oct. 13 As the clock ticks down for residents to evacuate north Gaza before a ground invasion, protests are rocking the Arab world and border clashes broken out between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Israel
Day 6 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Oct. 12 On day six of the war, Israel gave the United Nations a deadline to evacuate residents in northern Gaza ahead of a ground invasion. Israel
Day 5 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Oct. 11 On day five of the war, Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens while Israel readies for a ground incursion against Hamas. Israel
Explainer: As Lebanon-Israel border heats up, 3 armed groups stand out Several Palestinian militants are active in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Lebanon
