Syria’s top Islamic body issues decree against honor killings: What to know US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack referred to the decision as “great first steps,” though concerns persist about the new Islamist-led government. Syria
Analysis ‘A wild gamble’: Will Israel's arming of Gaza militia backfire? In a move critics have called dangerous and risky, Israel is now supplying weapons to an independent Gaza militia in a bid to weaken Hamas. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel strikes Beirut, targeting underground Hezbollah drone facilities This marks the first time Israel has struck Lebanon’s capital city since April. Lebanon
Trump travel ban 2.0: Assessing the impact on Mideast nations Trump’s new decision excludes Syria and Iraq, both of which were part of his previous ban issued during his first term in 2017. Syria
Analysis Meet Hamas' key leaders, many on Israel's target list in Gaza Hamas has a complicated and fragmented leadership structure. The militant components of the group have become more powerful in comparison to the political ones in recent years, in part due to Iranian influence. By Ali Hashem , Adam Lucente
Will Lebanon's Hezbollah change rules of engagement on Israel to aid Hamas? Hezbollah has been careful not to escalate the situation along Israel's northern border beyond the accepted norms, but the situation could change quickly depending on events in Gaza. Lebanon
Hezbollah hosts Palestinian factions as warnings surge over Lebanon's volatility Hezbollah and Israel have been trading fire since Hamas launched its surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, raising fears of a new front in south Lebanon. Lebanon
No consensus yet among Iraqi armed groups on joining Israel-Hamas war Interviews with faction leaders reveal anger with Hamas over starting a unilateral conflict, but also a determination to get involved if Hezbollah greenlights such a move and Israel invades Gaza. Israel
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: 82% of Americans wary of US intervention in Israel-Hamas war As the Israel-Hamas war rages on and threatens to spill into a wider regional conflict, Americans are either unsure of or reject a US military intervention in the region, according to a new Al-Monitor/Premise poll. Israel
Analysis Israel sees Gaza ground invasion inevitable, insists no US veto Israeli security officials say Israel will not necessarily wait for approval from the Biden administration to launch its ground offensive against Hamas, but is taking messages relayed by Washington very seriously. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
