Analysis RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows A wave of RSF drone attacks reflects the group fighting back, but it also points to limited supply lines and difficulty mounting ground offensives beyond its territorial strongholds. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump face fateful elections this fall, but one needs progress in Lebanon while the other wants more of the same. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Yemen’s Houthis claim new attack on Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia: What to know The strike follows a deadly Houthi attack on a ship in the Red Sea as the renewed conflict take its toll on shipping. Yemen
Iraq intel and security officials visit Saudi Arabia after drone attacks Iraqi authorities are cracking down on drone attacks after US and Saudi airstrikes targeted Iran-backed militias in the country. Iraq
Analysis What Qaani's Baghdad visit reveals about Iran's post-war dilemma By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Turkey steps up attacks on Syria’s Kurds amid Iraq operation Ankara is using the cover of Ukraine’s war to weaken the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and associated groups in the region. Syria
Four US soldiers injured by rocket attack in Syria The barrage suggests Iran's proxies will continue to harass US forces in the region, whether or not the sides return to the 2015 nuclear deal. Syria
Analysis The Takeaway: Trump's revenge as Biden deal with Iran stymied by IRGC sanctions Russia backs Syrian attacks on opposition; Turkish inflation soars as result of Ukraine war; Iran-linked mob attacks Kurdish party offices in Iraq; new generation runs for election in Lebanon; Egypt rallies Africa climate consensus. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn
Taliban releases Afghan-American Naval reservist held in Afghanistan US citizen Safi Rauf and his brother Anees Khalil were released to Qatar before traveling home to the United States. Qatar
Pentagon could have done more to prevent casualties in key Syria battle, report A 2017 decision to encircle the Islamic State's capital at Raqqa inhibited the possibility of civilian escape corridors, a Pentagon-sponsored report found. Syria
Russia not sending Syrians to Ukraine just yet, top US general says US CENTCOM has seen no sign of widespread recruitment of Syrians to fight in Ukraine. Syria
Jihadis in Idlib bash Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for role in Ukraine war Chechen jihadis in Syria seek to join the forces defending Ukraine against Russia while condemning the participation of pro-Russian and leader of Russia's Chechnya region Ramzan Kadyrov in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Syria
Infighting between Islamist, Turkish-backed armed groups continues in north Syria Infighting between Turkish-backed factions in north Syria continues despite pleas by civilians, with most recently dozens of members of the civilian police resigning in response to a shootout with the military police that left two of its members wounded. Syria
Jihadi group takes on Salafist opponents in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham cracks down and arrests Salafists who support anti-HTS protests. Syria
Border crossings and foreign fighters rise after Taliban takeover A recent UN report and other worrying signs point to a likely surge in both an al-Qaeda and Islamic State presence in Afghanistan in the six months since the Taliban has been in power. Iran
Drones pose additional security threats, challenges for Iraq With drones flying the Iraqi skies for illegal purposes, security authorities face a host of new challenges. Iraq
Syrian jihadi group tightens noose on Arab, foreign fighters in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is pressuring foreign jihadis in Idlib and giving them two choices: Leave, or integrate into the local community. Syria
