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
Meet Sudan's web of warlords, foreign backers and their tangled alignments A look at the various players in the fighting that has exploded in Sudan paints a much richer picture than what some call a proxy war. Sudan
Captured Egypt soldiers return from Sudan as fighting rages The Egyptian troops were captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces battling the Sudanese army. Egypt
Second Sudan cease-fire goes into effect with nearly 300 killed The international community has been calling on the military and rival forces to stop the fighting as the death toll rises. Sudan
UK sanctions Lebanon art dealer accused of financing Hezbollah Already sanctioned by the United States back in 2019, Lebanese art dealer Nazem Said Ahmad was sanctioned by the British government on Tuesday. Iran
Sudan death toll nears 100 as civilians flee, power struggle continues Several countries have called for restraint after rival forces engaged in bloody clashes in Sudan. The Horn of Africa
Iraqi militias escalate rhetoric against US, threatening more attacks After a period of calm following the formation of the new government, angry rhetoric has been rising against the US embassy's social outreach to Iraqi groups and tribes. Iraq
Lebanon’s Hezbollah hosts Hamas chief as rockets fly over Israel border The delegation has reportedly discussed efforts to coordinate action against Israel. Palestine
Second attack on US military in Syria following Pentagon’s airstrikes The US military said it struck Iranian-affiliated targets in eastern Syria in response to an earlier drone attack. Syria
Russia's Wagner activities expanding in Libya despite growing Western scrutiny The Wagner Group has sought to use Libya as a forward base for its activities in the Sahel region, particularly Chad and Niger, while building spheres of influence with local communities and smuggling networks in the southern border regions of Libya. North Africa
Hezbollah, Hamas seek to exploit Israel's internal weakness to attack The security incident last Monday near the border with Lebanon worries the IDF, as Hezbollah tries to exploit the ongoing crisis in Israel. Israel
'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi minorities, but also raises constitutionality questions. Iraq
Top US general Mark Milley makes surprise visit to Syria Gen. Mark Milley's visit to US troops fighting the Islamic State came as Pentagon officials warn Russia's arms transfers to Iran will embolden the IRGC and its proxies in the Middle East. Syria
