Sharaa tells Iraq's Barzani Kurds integral to Syria amid fears of Aleppo spillover

More than 140,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo and the situation has captured the attention of Kurdistan Region and federal government leaders in neighboring Iraq.

Iraq

Newsletter: Security

Can US force Iran, Russia exit from Venezuela?

US officials call out Hezbollah’s foothold in South America as Trump aims to wall off the Western Hemisphere from adversaries.

By Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

UAE cuts student funding for UK universities over Muslim Brotherhood fears

London has not banned the group as a terrorist organization, but UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the option is under "close review."

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Israel on alert amid Iran unrest, sees 'next few days' critical for regime

Israeli assessments indicate that while Iran’s leadership has not shown signs of fully losing control, the situation could change as protests continue.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Flights from UAE, Qatar and Turkey canceled to Iran as protests grow

Several airlines canceled their flights to Iranian cities as the protests continue to grow despite a communication blackout.

Iran

US envoy pushes for Sudan truce in meeting with UAE’s MBZ after talks in Saudi Arabia

Boulos’ meeting in Abu Dhabi follows discussions earlier this week in Riyadh, as the two Gulf countries navigate both Sudan diplomacy and a dispute over Yemen.

Sudan

Iran sees largest protest day as regime cuts internet: What to know

Thousands of Iranians protested across the country on Thursday evening in one of the biggest challenges to Islamic Republic rule in decades.

United States

Interview

Top Syrian Kurdish official Foza Yusuf says war with Damascus lose-lose for all

The Syrian Kurdish official warns that fighting in Aleppo could deepen the humanitarian crisis and stall political negotiations.

Foza Yusuf

Top Syrian Kurdish official

Meet Aidarus Zubaidi: Separatist leader at heart of Yemen’s power struggle

Zubaidi’s Southern Transitional Council has experienced massive losses at the hands of the Yemeni government as Saudi Arabia ups its military campaign against the UAE-backed group.

Yemen

Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces’ ties with Israel for what he cast as the group's increasingly uncompromising posture in Syria.

Turkey

Lebanon says phase 1 of Hezbollah disarmament complete as Iran FM visits Beirut

The announcement by the Lebanese army came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut for a two-day visit amid ongoing regional tensions.

Lebanon

Aleppo clashes between Kurdish forces, Syrian government test US diplomacy

A violent escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo is worsening amid stalled US-brokered negotiations and growing regional pressures on the Kurds.

Syria