Iraq’s Maliki rejects Trump criticism, vows to stay in PM race Maliki refused to withdraw from the race, despite mounting pressure from the US, and expressed a desire for good relations with Iraq’s neighbors and Washington. Iraq
US says Sudan warring parties back withdrawal plan as donors pledge $700M in aid State Department senior adviser Massad Boulos announced Tuesday that a "comprehensive peace plan" has been approved by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, though it still needs to be approved by Sudan's warring parties. Sudan
Lebanon’s army chief in Washington as Hezbollah disarmament enters critical phase Gen. Rodolphe Haykal is seeking US support for what is likely to be a cautious approach to expanding the geographic scope of the Lebanese army's efforts to disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon
RSF shells Sudan’s Kordofan as US-Saudi truce plan stalls: What to know Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have launched drone and artillery attacks in Dilling, just a week after the Sudanese army said it broke a nearly two-year siege on the town. Sudan
Analysis Israel ups Iran intel sharing with US, expects Trump to strike within 'weeks' By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Netanyahu gamble appears to pay off as Israelis cheer Gaza retreat, planned hostage release The Israeli military started its withdrawal from the Strip even before receiving a formal order to do so. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon bolsters Gaza ceasefire oversight with 200-troop mission to Israel US military officials will help coordinate everything from logistics of humanitarian aid deliveries to building security force teams, but doubts remain as to whether any side can force Hamas to disarm. Palestine
Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat Israeli officials are preparing for the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza either on Saturday or Sunday and for a possible visit by the US president on Sunday. Israel
US sanctions firms in China, Turkey, UAE over Iran drone network The entities are accused of facilitating the purchase of American electronic components found in weaponized drones used by Iran-backed groups such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Gaza-based Hamas. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israel says Iran weapons plot foiled in West Bank: What to know The third alleged Iranian smuggling plan in the past two years comes amid escalating violence in the Palestinian territory. Iran
Syria: Siege persists in Aleppo’s Kurdish enclaves despite SDF-Damascus truce Tensions are rising over plans to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into the new Syrian military amid clashes between government-affiliated and Kurdish forces in Syria’s largest city. Syria
US strike in Syria kills al-Qaeda-linked planner, hints at changing militant networks Members of Syria’s al-Qaeda branch, Huras ad-Din, have been joining Ansar al-Islam as US drone strikes have continued to pick off Huras ad-Din's leaders, a report to the UN Security Council noted in July. Syria
RSF hits Darfur hospital as cholera, dengue fever spread in war-torn Sudan A Sudanese medical organization said a dozen people were killed after the RSF shelled one of the last operating hospitals in El Fasher, as Sudan’s collapsing health system battles cholera and dengue fever. Sudan
Egypt's Sisi says Gaza deal in sight as Witkoff, Kushner, Qatari PM join talks As chief negotiators gather in Egypt, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to accelerate. Israel
Grenade attack on IRGC kills 2 in Iran’s Kurdistan province: What to know The deadly assault comes amid recurring tensions and clashes in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western region. Iran
Damascus declares truce with Syria’s Kurdish forces after Aleppo skirmishes US military helicopters delivered Syrian Kurdish commander Mazlum Kobane to Damascus in push to halt a burst of fighting overnight in Aleppo that risked unravelling the fragile rapprochement between Syria's two largest post-Assad forces. Syria
Analysis Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East Turkey’s involvement worries Israel in Syria but also raises hopes for pressuring Hamas to agree to President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
