Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Ali al-Zaidi

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.

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun (L) stands next to the parliament speaker Nabih Berri as he delivers a speech at the parliament building in Beirut Jan. 9, 2025.

'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.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to journalists as he arrives for an informal meeting of the European Council in Nicosia, Cyprus, April 24, 2026.

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.

A young man stands in the entrance of tunnels that were used by the ISIS and the Assad's regime for fighting. Tadamon, Syria, February 7, 2025. (Photo by Raghed Waked / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by RAGHED WAKED/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Latest News

Analysis

Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (R) holds a signed "Make America Great Again" hat while (L-R) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad listen to US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting with Lebanon Ambassador to the US and Israel Ambassador to the US, at the White House in Washington, DC on April 23, 2026. US President Donald Trump met Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a

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

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Interview

Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable'

Olmert

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

An Israeli soldier extinguishes a bush fire caused by a Molotov cocktail.

Hezbollah threatens to ‘act’ if Israel attacks Lebanon after border shooting

Tensions are particularly high between Israel and Lebanon in large part due to the conflict over the Ghajjar border town.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi in Tehran on March 4, 2023.

Analysis

Iran’s new nuclear normal gets boost from oil exports

Also: The Islamic Republic cracks down on the hijab "conspiracy" while suffering brain drain; researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov abducted by Iraqi militia.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Tsurkov

Elizabeth Tsurkov’s sister says she took 'precautions' in Iraq before abduction

Emma Tsurkov said she immediately contacted Israeli authorities after not hearing back from her sister in March, and she confirmed that the Russian government is involved in the negotiations to free the Israeli-Russian researcher.

Iraqi children gather at a playground in the old city of Mosul on June 30, 2023 during the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP) (Photo by ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Iraq's Mosul rises from Islamic State ashes to rebuild minarets, museum

As Mosul makes a slow revival from the remnants of war, a host of challenges remain, including corrupt officials and institutional weaknesses in Iraq.

A US soldier guides the MQ-9 Reaper drone as it lands at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on April 23, 2023, as part of the US-Philippines joint military exercise 'Balikatan'. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian fighter jets harass US drones over Syria twice in 24 hours

A Russian Su-35 forced two French Rafales to take evasive maneuvers over the Iraq-Syria border on Thursday as the Pentagon warned of increasing harassment.

An Israeli soldier uses a binoculars during a patrol in the town of Ghajar in the annexed Golan Heights bordering Lebanon on July 6, 2023. The Israeli army said it was conducting strikes on southern Lebanon after a mortar launched from its northern neighbour exploded in the border area between the two foes. The latest military action was launched three months after the two countries saw their worst cross-border fire in years. (Photo by jalaa marey / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel strikes targets in Lebanon after rocket fire from border

The cross-border escalation follows weeks of tensions building up in a contested area on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

An undated image of Tsurkov.

Breaking | Last Updated: July 5, 2023, 7:02 pm

Elizabeth Tsurkov, Israeli-Russian researcher, kidnapped in Iraq

In the first public confirmation of the March abduction, the Israeli prime minister said today that the researcher is alive.

Members of the Lebanese Army deploy as families await news of their relatives at the entrance of the port in the northern city of Tripoli, on the morning of January 1, 2023, following a rescue operation by the navy of a sinking migrant boat in Mediterranean waters, off the Lebanon's northern coast. - Two migrants died and another 200 were rescued when their boat sank off Lebanon's northern coast, from where increasing numbers make the risky journey to flee a collapsed economy. An AFP correspondent in the im

In Lebanon's north, armed clashes renew fears of sectarian strife

The incidents come as the country reels under a devastating economic crisis.

This picture shows a defaced mural to the glory of Russia's mercenary group Wagner reading "Wagner Group."

Libya factions reassess Wagner's operations in light of mutiny in Russia

The Wagner issue could significantly impact the conflict in Libya and lead to further instability in the country.

ROMAN ROMOKHOV/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

US sanctions on UAE Wagner Group affiliate could impact Libya operation

A brief mutiny in Russia last weekend by the Wagner Group has shifted the spotlight back on the mercenary organization.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

People look at a tank near a circus building in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023.

Pentagon watching closely Wagner’s Mideast posture as questions surround its future

In an excerpt from this week's Security Briefing, Pentagon correspondent Jared Szuba looks at what's next for Wagner's forces in the Middle East and North Africa following the private military company's short-lived mutiny in Russia.

Members of the Wagner group sit atop a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023.

Wagner base in eastern Libya hit by ‘unknown’ drone strike

The strike comes as Russia steps up its campaign against the Wagner group in the countries where it is active following last week’s failed mutiny against President Vladimir Putin.