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
Analysis Netanyahu scrambles as Gulf states push Trump to sanction Israel over Doha strikes In an unusual move reflecting the difficult position Netanyahu placed the administration in, the United States supported a United Nations Security Council statement on Thursday condemning the Israeli strike. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel lays siege to West Bank's Tulkarm after military vehicle hit by explosive device Israeli troops sealed off entrances to the city of Tulkarm after an explosion hit a military vehicle as months of raids and mass displacement continue in the city’s refugee camps. Palestine
Qatari emir attends Hamas members’ funeral in Doha after Israeli strikes The funeral for the Hamas members and the Qatari corporal killed in the Israeli strikes was held at a prominent mosque in Doha. Qatar
Syria claims Hezbollah cell plotting attacks arrested in Damascus: What we know Syrian authorities have announced the arrest of a Hezbollah cell in Damascus. Syria
Pentagon OKs $14.2M for Lebanon's army to dismantle Hezbollah sites The demolition gear and patrol equipment are aimed at bolstering Lebanese forces tasked with dismantling Hezbollah’s remnants amid fears of a sectarian flare-up. Lebanon
RSF, political allies claim responsibility for Khartoum drone strikes: What to know As Sudan’s army presses a new offensive in Kordofan and Darfur, the RSF and an allied coalition claimed rare responsibility for drone strikes on Khartoum. Sudan
EU Commission chief seeks sanctions, partial trade freeze on Israel: What to know The proposal comes in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, but divisions among the EU’s 27 member states make it uncertain whether the measures will be adopted. Israel
Analysis Trump fumes, Hamas scoffs: Will Israel’s Qatar strikes backfire? While the targeted Hamas leaders' fate is unknown, it is clear that the United States is unhappy with Tuesday’s strike and that Qatar will distance itself from mediating a Gaza ceasefire deal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov released from captivity in Iraq Tsurkov was kidnapped in Baghdad more than two years ago by the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah, prompting the US government and her family to work for her release. Iraq
CENTCOM commander meets Egypt’s Sisi in Cairo The Navy admiral’s visit comes as Pentagon officials aim to draw the North African state closer to Washington’s orbit and coordinate multilateral efforts to deter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Egypt
Sudan accuses UAE of hiring Colombian mercenaries in UN complaint Sudan’s complaint claims 350 to 380 Colombian mercenaries were recruited by Emirati security firms to fight alongside the RSF. Sudan
Lebanon to move on Hezbollah disarmament after testy cabinet meeting: What to know The Lebanese government is under mounting pressure to disarm Hezbollah, but the group’s allies in the government are not on board. Lebanon
