After gun found in lake, French police probe link to 2012 Iraqi family murder A recently discovered Luger pistol may have been used in the mysterious 2012 killing of the al-Hilli family near the Alpine town of Chevaline in eastern France. Iraq
US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz. Iran
Iran vows continued military action amid renewed hostilities with US Iran responded to US attacks with a wave of drone and missile strikes against countries across the region, raising fears of a return to war. Iran
Xi makes first Egypt visit in decade as Cairo gets caught in US-China AI row China's Huawei last month submitted a bid to build advanced AI data centers and supply more than 2,000 AI chips for Egyptian government systems. Egypt
Analysis Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Pentagon kicks off Bright Star war games in Egypt with 1,500 US troops US Central Command is seeking to firm up Washington’s sway with Egypt's leaders amid signs of instability, as China expands its own leverage over the strategic state that controls the Suez Canal. Egypt
Iran-GCC clash over islands, nuclear talks underscores Tehran’s growing isolation The Gulf Cooperation Council's renewed territorial claims on three Iran-controlled Persian Gulf islands come as Tehran is struggling under mounting international pressure and scrambling to rise from the ashes of its recent war with Israel. Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan holds hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian, sparks online buzz A short video of Erdogan holding hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian at the SCO summit in China has captured global attention and stirred heated online reactions. Turkey
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
Turkey: CHP Istanbul head ousted as court escalates pressure on Ozel The court’s ruling has raised further challenges to the leadership of CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who led the party to victory in last year’s local elections. Turkey
Iran’s Pezeshkian meets Xi in Beijing as China, Russia try to stall E3 sanctions Iran’s president met China's in Beijing after the SCO summit, which backed Iran’s against international sanctions and condemned US-Israeli strikes on the country earlier this summer. Iran
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
Bahraini protesters clash with police over new Israeli ambassador: What to know Bahrain normalized ties with Israel in 2020 and has sought to balance friendly relations and maintaining calm among its pro-Palestinian population amid the Gaza war. Bahrain
Israel calls up 60,000 reservists for Gaza City op, but how many will show up? The mobilization of 60,000 reservists for Gaza City could be undermined if significant numbers decline to serve. Israel
US sanctions network smuggling Iranian oil diguised as Iraqi: What to know The move come on the heels of the E3’s push to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran. Iran
Analysis Netanyahu eyes West Bank annexation as Palestine recognition grows, Trump holds final say The Israeli government is debating whether to annex the Jordan Valley or settlement blocs in the West Bank in response to the anticipated recognition of Palestine by European states and others at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense