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 Inside Israel's Yemen operation that decapitated Houthi leadership Since Israel's intelligence began focusing on the Houthi threat in July, efforts to quell the threat from Yemen have grown much more precise. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Senate bill threatens funds for US-Iraq military coordination amid troop drawdown A new measure could sharply limit funding for key US diplomatic office that manages the flow of Washington’s support for the Iraqi Armed Forces if Baghdad does not crack down on Iran-aligned militias. United States
Analysis Lebanon army mum on Hezbollah disarmament plan ahead of split cabinet meeting As the Lebanese army scrambles to finalize a crucial plan for disarming Hezbollah, officials have been engaged in intense diplomacy to avoid internal confrontations and move ahead with the disarmament process. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Israel’s Shin Bet says it foiled Hamas drone plot targeting Ben-Gvir In a joint operation with the Israeli military, the Shin Bet arrested a West Bank cell as the far-right minister vowed to impose tougher prison policies. Israel
Iraq announces ISIS network busted in West Africa: What to know Activity by the Islamic State’s West Africa branch is increasing, according to some observers, and Iraq is looking to strengthen counterterrorism coordination with other states. Iraq
Over 1,000 dead in Darfur landslide as Sudan war hinders relief efforts A devastating landslide in the Marrah Mountains of Darfur has killed over 1,000 people, prompting appeals for international aid amid escalating violence in the region. Sudan
Israel arrests Hebron mayor, launches West Bank crackdown: What to know Israeli forces carried out a series of raids across the West Bank, arresting several Palestinians, including the mayor of Hebron, amid reports of the possible dissolution of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Lebanon faces tough test as army pushes plan to seize Hezbollah weapons Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations for a cabinet session due this week that will tackle an army plan to take control of weapons outside of the state’s authority. Lebanon
Israel cautious on Lebanon withdrawal despite Netanyahu overtures, US push The Trump administration is pressuring Netanyahu to make concessions to the Lebanese government in exchange for its efforts to disarm Hezbollah. Israel
Libya: Tripoli’s fragile peace shaken by renewed fighting, military buildup Recent weeks have seen multiple clashes and security incidents in the Libyan capital, raising concerns from both the United States and the United Nations. Libya
UN Security Council renews Lebanon peacekeeping mission for one year The compromise vote gives Lebanon's army buffer time to meet US demands to fill security vacuum in the country's south before a planned withdrawal of UN peacekeepers in 2027. Lebanon
Lebanon's army receives 8 truckloads of weapons from Palestinian camps The army received weapons from several Palestinian refugee camps in the south, following a similar handover last week from a camp in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanon
