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
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
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
Lebanon faces tough test as army pushes plan to seize Hezbollah weapons Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations for a cabinet session due this week that will tackle an army plan to take control of weapons outside of the state’s authority. Lebanon
Israel cautious on Lebanon withdrawal despite Netanyahu overtures, US push The Trump administration is pressuring Netanyahu to make concessions to the Lebanese government in exchange for its efforts to disarm Hezbollah. Israel
Libya: Tripoli’s fragile peace shaken by renewed fighting, military buildup Recent weeks have seen multiple clashes and security incidents in the Libyan capital, raising concerns from both the United States and the United Nations. Libya
UN Security Council renews Lebanon peacekeeping mission for one year The compromise vote gives Lebanon's army buffer time to meet US demands to fill security vacuum in the country's south before a planned withdrawal of UN peacekeepers in 2027. Lebanon
Lebanon's army receives 8 truckloads of weapons from Palestinian camps The army received weapons from several Palestinian refugee camps in the south, following a similar handover last week from a camp in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Lebanon
Iran says 13 militants in Baluchestan killed as insurgents exploit postwar weakness The large-scale operation in Sistan-Baluchestan underscores persistent instability in the volatile, impoverished province, where Sunni militants have intensified attacks since the Iran-Israel conflict. Iran
Lebanese PM meets Egypt’s Sisi amid Hezbollah disarmament push: What to know Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged support for Lebanon’s stability and reconstruction during talks in Cairo with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Lebanon
Sudan cabinet convenes in Khartoum in first since war began: What to know Sudan’s newly formed government met in the capital, Khartoum, for the first time since the war broke out in April 2023, as authorities weigh moving the government’s seat from Port Sudan to the capital. Sudan
Sudan's RSF intensifies attacks on el-Fasher as displaced face starvation Since the weekend, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces militia has stepped up attacks on North Darfur’s besieged capital, el-Fasher. Sudan
Analysis Will Israel’s potential Syria security deal intensify its rivalry with Turkey? Israeli experts warn that a security deal with Syria won’t ease tensions with Turkey or end the ongoing battle for regional influence. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
