Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know Abu Jihad al-Muhajir is the highest-profile alleged Islamic State official captured by Syrian government forces since US troops withdrew from the country in April. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation. Jordan
US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters Control over a strategic ridge overlooking Nabatieh is emerging as a flashpoint between the Israeli military and Lebanon ahead of the next expected round of negotiations in September. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Explainer Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know The pact points to a more multipolar Middle Eastern security order, one in which Washington is no longer the unquestioned center of Gulf security. China
Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Harris says Biden presidency will not condition aid to Israel The Democrats' vice presidential pick, Sen. Kamala Harris, sought to distance the Biden campaign from emerging party criticism of Israel in recent years. Israel
What’s next for Russia-Iran military partnership? If the arms embargo on Iran ends in October, what arms might Tehran buy from Moscow? Russia
Turkey’s tilt toward Pakistan provokes India’s ire An Indian intelligence reports sees Turkey as becoming a hub for anti-India activities second only to Pakistan. Turkey
Controversy continues in Israel over US F-35 sale to UAE Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says flatly that he did not know about and did not agree to a deal for Americans to sell F-35 stealth jets to the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Trump, Kadhimi launch new chapter in US-Iraq relations US offers Iraqi prime minister aid, energy deals and continued cooperation against Islamic State. Iraq
Israeli and German jets fly over Munich Olympics massacre site, Dachau concentration camp The joint exercises this week mark the first ever between Israel and Germany on German soil. Israel
State Department legally skirted Congress freeze on Saudi arms sales, inquiry finds An inspector general's report redacted by the State Department says that while the department found ways to legally bypass congressional restrictions on arms sales to Saudi Arabia, measures that Congress had called for were not taken. Saudi Arabia
Trump Pentagon nominee questioned about firm's link to killing of Saudi journalist The Senate Armed Services Committee is holding up the nomination of Louis Bremer over questions whether his firm trained those implicated in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. United States
Rockets hit Iraqi base used by coalition troops, no casualties The attack came as the US-led coalition prepares to hand over the base to Iraqi security forces. Iraq
Coronavirus likely to delay Pentagon war games in Mideast to 2021 Mideast war exercises planned for this year are likely to be delayed until 2021, and other war games scheduled for next year may be delayed until 2022. Egypt
Is Erdogan after a Caucasus adventure? Ankara’s harsh outbursts in favor of Baku in Azerbaijan’s rekindled conflict with Armenia might be aimed at domestic consumption as well as pressuring Russia into concessions in Libya and Syria. Turkey
Intel: White House sympathizes with France in Libya row with Turkey White House National Security adviser Robert O’Brien on Wednesday expressed sympathy for France’s account of events in a Mediterranean naval standoff with Turkey last month over a Libyan arms smuggling allegation. Turkey
