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
Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Fatah hold rare meeting in Gaza The meeting in Gaza comes as the PA escalates its crackdown on Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. Palestine
Iran claims Israel behind shrine attack, pledges revenge The shooting renewed debates on Iran's intelligence failures in thwarting deadly attacks in contrast to the official assertion that the country is an "island of stability" in a volatile Middle East. Iran
Lebanon’s Hezbollah makes show of force with tanks, armored vehicles as Israel tensions mount Hezbollah is facing growing resentment inside Lebanon with several parties accusing the group of dragging the country into an unwanted war with Israel. Lebanon
Islamic State attack kills 26 Syrian soldiers, third in 2 weeks The deadly attack, the group’s third this month, follows the death of another one of its leaders. Syria
Lebanon: Shots fired at defense minister's car amid rising instability The incident followed deadly clashes after a Hezbollah vehicle carrying ammunition overturned in a Christian village. Lebanon
Islamic State attack in Raqqa kills 10 Syrian soldiers, second in a week IS militants attacked several positions and checkpoints of the Syrian government and allied fighters in the group’s former stronghold of Raqqa. Syria
Analysis Israel's extremist settlers control government as Netanyahu dismisses warnings The latest fatal incident in the West Bank town of Burqa shows that settlers now have the upper hand in the Netanyahu government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq. Iraq
Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings? Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. Legacy: Gulf
Despite Hamas' crackdown, Gaza protests continue in rare defiance The deteriorating situation in Gaza has led to rare anti-Hamas protests amid growing frustration over the poor conditions in the besieged enclave. Palestine
Analysis Israel's security chiefs fear 'miscalculation' with Hezbollah leading to all-out war Israel’s security brass assess that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah might up the number of provocative incidents on the border to spark a supposedly limited conflict with Israel. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
What’s behind Palestinian violence in Lebanon’s Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp? Lebanon’s largest refugee camp, Ain al-Hilweh, is no stranger to violence between rival Palestinian factions. Palestine
