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
In a first, ICC convicts Sudanese militia leader of Darfur war crimes Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. Sudan
CENTCOM chief meets Syrian Kurdish leader in push for postwar unity A senior US Navy admiral joined Trump envoy Tom Barrack in efforts to break the impasse between Syria’s Kurdish-led forces and Damascus on postwar unification. Syria
US approves $230M for Lebanon’s push to disarm Hezbollah New US funds for Beirut signal rare bipartisan approval for progress by Lebanon's security forces as they dismantle Hezbollah weapons caches, but significant risks remain as the militant faction resists full disarmament. United States
Sudan army steps up airstrikes as Darfur siege tightens: What to know In September, a top Sudanese general announced an offensive to take back the Darfur region from the RSF, and the army is following through. Sudan
Analysis Netanyahu hamstrung by far right, Trump as Hamas drags feet on Gaza plan The Hamas commanders in Gaza remain the main obstacle to advancement of the Trump plan and are expected to seek amendments even as Israel’s military steps up its offensive on Gaza City. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US troop drawdown in Syria on hold over regime stability concerns While American troops in Iraq hand over operations against the Islamic State to Baghdad's forces, the parallel drawdown in neighboring Syria has been halted amid concerns about the abilities of the new Islamist-led government in Damascus. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US troops in Iraq shift to Erbil to focus on ISIS in Syria The US mission against the Islamic State is relocating its headquarters and most of its troops from Baghdad to Erbil as the prime minister's coalition faces reelection in November. Iraq
Iraqi cleric Sadr says he is ready for ‘escalation’ as tensions heat up ahead of elections Muqtada al-Sadr has reaffirmed his intention to boycott the November elections following an alleged assassination attempt against him, leaving the country's political future uncertain. Iraq
Hamas faces red line in Trump's take-it-or-leave-it Gaza plan The clock is ticking for Hamas to respond to a deal that would require its disarmament in exchange for an end to the war. Palestine
Analysis Trump offers Netanyahu cover as Israel's far right recoils at Gaza peace plan The latest peace plan for Gaza offers something previous ones lacked: a way for the Israeli prime minister to save face. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Dutch-flagged cargo ship struck off Yemen in latest attack If claimed by the Houthis, the strike on the Minervagracht would mark their most successful attack on a civilian cargo vessel since July. Yemen
Iran rial hits record low 1.13M to dollar as UN snapback sanctions resume: What to know The sanctions, which were trigged by the three European signatories to the nuclear deal, will not hinder Iranian oil exports to China, an official said. Iran
