Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm. Iraq
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know A senior Iranian commander said Saudi Arabia will be unable to the defeat the Yemeni group as the conflict intensifies. Yemen
Australia summons Israeli ambassador over World Central Kitchen strike: What to know Australia has summoned Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman after the Israeli military decided not to open a criminal investigation into the killing of one Australian and six other World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza in 2024. Israel
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
What we know about Israeli strikes on Syrian air base tied to Turkey By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
As Syria’s foreign jihadis eye Afghanistan, new challenges arise for Moscow The potential that foreign fighters may move from Syria’s Idlib province to Afghanistan could pose major threats to Russia and its Central Asian allies. Russia
Turkey, Taliban hold talks in Kabul as airport security in doubt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara hasn't decided whether to provide the Taliban with technical assistance at Kabul's international airport. Turkey
How many Americans are left in Afghanistan? As the United States facilitates the transfer of thousands of Afghanistan evacuees to Qatar and other US military installations, the State Department said Thursday that a majority of the remaining Americans have taken steps to leave. United States
Afghans, US troops killed in blasts targeting Kabul airport evacuations US officials feared the local faction called the Islamic State-Khorasan could attack the beleaguered airfield in the Afghan capital. United States
Turkey begins pulling troops from Kabul airport as US deadline looms Ankara's proposal to keep troops at Kabul airport appears dead in the water, at least for now. Turkey
The Takeaway: Bennett has opening to sway Biden administration on Iran nuclear deal Also: Iran’s new foreign minister and Nasrallah; Syrian Islamist group cracks down in Idlib; TikTok finds audiences in Egypt, Gaza; Israel’s chocolate confiscation; and more … in about 1,500 words! Israel
Jihadi group in Syria’s Idlib faces criticism over unfair trials, death sentences Hayat Tahrir al-Sham issued death sentences against two young men who have been detained in the organization’s prisons on charges of collaborating with the US-led international coalition. Syria
Sources: Taliban move helped US keep Afghans off Kabul airfield last week The original plan to secure Kabul airport took the presence of Afghan security forces for granted, a US official said. United States
No plans to increase troops at Kabul airport as deadline looms, Pentagon says Evacuation flights peaked over the past 24 hours, but security fears are growing amid Taliban warning. Washington Pulse
Qatar praised by Senate leader for assisting US with Afghanistan evacuation Kuwait is also receiving people evacuated from Afghanistan by the US military amid the chaotic withdrawal from the country. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Lebanon's president calls for UN action after Israeli strikes Lebanese President Michel Aoun said recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah violated Lebanon's sovereignty. Lebanon
Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan? Afghanistan's economy is hanging by a thread; Iran makes the best of the Taliban; the "resistance" finds inspiration; five must reads on Afghanistan. Iran
