How the US drawdown in Syria is expected to play out Senate Foreign Relations Chair Jim Risch called the US troop presence in Syria "critical" to contain ISIS and urged a Russian withdrawal, as sources said US troops are expected to eventually draw down to a single base in Hasakah province. Syria
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
Analysis Hezbollah 'recalculating' Israel's deterrence after Hamas attack, US aid Some military experts believe Hamas' attack and the scope of proposed US military assistance to Israel point to a vulnerability that is making Israel's opponents rethink their positions. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Hezbollah calls for 'day of anger' as Biden heads to Israel, Gaza war rages Cross-border fire has been ongoing between Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and Israel in southern Lebanon since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last weekend. Lebanon
Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17 Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Turkey’s Fidan calls Hamas leader, Israeli hostages in Gaza discussed The phone call comes after the Turkish president said last week that his government was working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages. Turkey
Back in Israel, Blinken tries to reach a deal on opening Gaza's Rafah crossing On a second visit in four days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Israel
Day 10 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct. Ten days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
France's top diplomat discusses hostages in Israel, ahead of Lebanon visit French Minister Catherine Colonna met today in Israel with her counterpart Eli Cohen and with families of French-Israelis missing and kidnapped by Hamas before next traveling to Lebanon. Israel
Day 9 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Oct. 15 Nine days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Israel’s intelligence blunder on Gaza: Misreading Hamas abilities, intentions Whether a result of hubris or something more mundane, Israel severely underestimated Hamas’s operational capabilities and intentions, believing that the group was content to sit on the sidelines, even as other groups like Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were on the attack. By Colin P. Clarke In Pittsburgh, US, reporting on counterterrorism, militancy
Day 8 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 14 Eight days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
