GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate. Saudi Arabia
Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce' Pentagon's top official called Rep. Thomas Massie's charges a 'farce,' arguing other defense secretaries trespassed on the War Powers Act without being impeached. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Explainer From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda Israel's opposition to advance anti-Netanyahu government measures as soon as Knesset convenes Tuesday, without waiting for a new cabinet to take shape. Israel
Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership A growing number of Democrats are calling for new leadership in the Senate to replace Schumer, arguing that the party needs a leader who better reflects its generational and ideological shift to the left. United States
Tunisia's sex workers want their brothels back The crackdown on legal brothels in Tunisia puts its sex workers at risk of further harm. North Africa
Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, writers reject Turkey’s new 'censorship' bill Turkey’s main opposition has taken the newly enacted bill to the Constitutional Court for annulment, while Erdogan described the law he swiftly ratified as “a pressing necessity.” Turkey
Israel won’t supply Ukraine with missile-defense systems Defense Minister Benny Gantz continues to refuse requests by Kyiv to supply Ukraine with the Israel-US-developed Iron Dome or other anti-missile systems. Israel
Saudi authorities find nearly 4 million amphetamine pills hidden in peppers One recent think tank report suggested Saudi Arabia needs to focus more on curtailing demand for such drugs among its population. Saudi Arabia
Israel resorts to besieging West Bank cities as tensions mount Israel is implementing a policy of besieging the West Bank cities and towns, as resistance operations are increasing and expanding across the West Bank. Palestine
US dismisses Turkish criticism of imbalance in Mediterranean The US ambassador to Turkey stated that America is focusing on the Russian invasion of Ukraine amid simmering tensions between Turkey and Greece. Turkey
Israeli Knesset member waves gun in east Jerusalem Ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir is exploiting an incident in which he brandished a gun in the east Jerusalem Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood ahead of the Nov. 1 elections. Israel
Turkish mine disaster sends blame flying In the wake of an explosion that killed 41 miners, several Turkish bodies are trading blame for safety failures in the coal industry. Turkey
Iran to 'reciprocate' new EU sanctions amid continued unrest EU sanctions over Iran's clampdown on dissent unsettled Iranian authorities, which are grappling with one of the biggest domestic challenges they have faced since the 1979 revolution. Iran
New Iraqi president takes office, government expected next week Iraq's new president commenced his duties, and the designated prime minister will form his Cabinet next week. Iraq
Ukrainian breakaway region sends delegation to Syria Syria, which has a history of supporting pro-Russia breakaway regions, recognized Donetsk and Luhansk earlier this year. Syria
Fire at Iranian prison renews pressure for US prisoner release Efforts to free Siamak Namazi and Emad Shargi have taken on greater urgency following a deadly fire that erupted at their detention center. Iran