UAE purchases 10 military aircraft from Brazil as BRICS ties grow The purchase of C-390 Millennium aircraft for the Emirati air force comes as the UAE seeks to build up its military capabilities amid the war with Iran and boost ties with BRICS member states. United Arab Emirates
Macron casts doubt on Trump’s Hormuz operation as France-US gap grows French President Emmanuel Macron slammed President Donald Trump for launching a unilateral operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz instead of pursuing a coordinated effort with Iran. Iran
Turkey hosts Kuwaiti FM as UAE's OAPEC exit fuels Gulf rift Kuwait's top diplomat visited Turkey as the Gulf rift deepens following the UAE’s exit from OPEC and its affiliated alliances, forcing Ankara to balance ties between Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns US against planned Hormuz escort mission By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Iran, Russia to seal strategic partnership: What’s in it for Moscow? Iran and Russia are set to bolster ties with a strategic pact, deepening cooperation in defense, trade, and counter-Western alliances. By Anton Mardasov
Syria hosts Japanese delegation as interim government looks to shore up investment Syria is eyeing closer ties with Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, as it recovers from years of civil war. Syria
After Gaza deal, Trump's top adviser says Saudi-Israel normalization 'huge priority' Trump’s next national security adviser, Mike Waltz, emphasized on Wednesday that the incoming administration will place Saudi-Israel normalization atop its agenda now that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seems imminent. United States
How the Gaza ceasefire deal came together At the last minute, negotiators in Doha managed to seal the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal that had eluded the Biden administration for more than 15 months. United States
Kurdish leader Barzani, SDF's Kobane meet to seek common ground in Syria The pair aim to bridge decades-old Kurdish divisions as shifting alliances reshape regional politics. Syria
Israel, Hamas trade accusations of blocking Gaza deal: What we know Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of blocking the deal announced on Wednesday for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages due to disagreements over the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israel
Turkish Airlines to resume Damascus flights next week: What we know As Turkey restarts flights to Damascus with some restrictions, its consulate in Aleppo is set to resume operations next week. Turkey
CENTCOM chief in Israel as Biden, Trump clinch Gaza ceasefire deal Army Gen. Erik Kurilla's latest trip to Israel came in the final days of Biden's presidency, as White House officials sought to capitalize on the broad defeat of the IRGC's multinational bulwark of armed militias. Israel
Trump's CIA pick warns of Iran nuclear advancements in confirmation hearing In his confirmation hearing, John Ratcliffe spoke about Iran's development of nuclear weapons, evidence of Syria's Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons and the FISA. United States
Turkey urges Syria's new leaders to take action against SDF Turkey’s top diplomat called for strengthened counterterrorism cooperation following a landmark meeting with his Syrian counterpart. Turkey
Syria arrests Egyptian Islamist who threatened to overthrow Sisi Wanted Egyptian Ahmed al-Mansour was arrested by Syria’s transitional authorities. Egypt
Iran’s navy unveils Zagros, its first intel-monitoring vessel: What we know The vessel delivered to Iran's navy on Wednesday is the latest addition to country's domestic military capabilities. Iran