Iran's barrages hit at least 10 Israeli cities, towns: What to know Iran’s latest wave of strikes on Israel reflects an escalation in strategy since its 2024 strikes, targeting urban centers and involving a broader range of missiles and drones. Iran
As dinar drops, Iraq says embassies safe in light of US-Iran tension The Iraqi dinar fell slightly on Thursday, as the country responds to the latest round of potential escalation between the United States and Iran. Iraq
With UNIFIL under attack, Lebanon says 500 arms depots dismantled Lebanon's prime minister said over 500 arms depots have been removed by the army in the south since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended. His statements coincided with President Joseph Aoun's visit to Jordan, his latest regional stop aimed to revive Arab-Lebanese ties. Lebanon
US general says Israeli strike on Iran would risk troops in region Outgoing CENTCOM Gen. Michael 'Erik' Kurilla said he has provided a broad range of military options to the Trump White House should diplomacy fail to rein in Tehran's nuclear enrichment. Iran
Interview US believes Syria’s Sharaa at risk of assassination, Trump envoy says Tom Barrack US special envoy for Syria
Analysis How the US drawdown in Syria is expected to play out By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis ‘A wild gamble’: Will Israel's arming of Gaza militia backfire? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
As Israel's raids grow in West Bank, so does Palestinian support for armed groups The armed factions in the West Bank are enjoying overwhelming popular support as the cycle of violence intensifies. Palestine
Four US troops, working dog wounded in Syria raid against Islamic State A senior IS official was killed in a raid in northeast Syria that injured US troops and a working dog, who were transported to Iraq for medical treatment. Syria In Crisis
Did US pressure force Turkey to let Syrian-Kurdish earthquake aid into rebel-held northwest? Ankara relents, allowing the first humanitarian aid and disaster relief to enter devastated northwest Syria from the country's Kurdish-run northeast. Syria
Arab states, militias pour aid into Syria as earthquake death toll exceeds 5,000 The Lebanese group Hezbollah and Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces are among the militias that delivered aid to Syria. Syria
Turkey's earthquake spikes Europe's fears of Middle East flare-ups The Turkish-Syrian border area at large remains one of the world’s geopolitical quagmires, a major epicenter of tensions and fault lines that run throughout the Middle East toward Europe. By Gilles Kepel
Sweden blocks Quran-burning protest Turkey came out against Sweden’s NATO bid after a far-right activist burned a Quran outside the Turkish embassy last month. Sweden is now seeking to resume dialogue over the issue. Turkey
Ankara lashes out at US envoy over security alerts: 'Get your filthy hands off Turkey' Turkey’s rhetoric against Washington and several European capitals grows more belligerent, with the interior minister calling out the American ambassador. Turkey
Trilateral Biden-Abdullah-Sudani call reiterated support for Iraq The Iraqi prime minister also discussed Iraq’s economic situation with the president as the dinar continues to slide against the dollar. Jordan's King Abdullah II was also on the call. Iraq
Pro-Iran group claims attack on Turkey's base in northern Iraq The so-called Bashiqa base, which has long been a source of tension between Ankara and Baghdad, is a frequent target of rocket attacks by pro-Iranian groups in Iraq. Turkey
Breaking | Last Updated: January 27, 2023, 12:35 pm Senior Islamic State leader killed in US raid in Somalia Bilal al-Sudani, "a key operator and global facilitator for IS’ global network," died along with 10 companions in a firefight with US forces in a cave complex last night, Biden administration officials said. The Horn of Africa
Iraq repatriates 580 citizens from Syria’s al-Hol camp The Islamic State sees the tens of thousands of detainees at al-Hol and other prison facilities in Syria as key to rebuilding its army, US officials have said. Iraq
Afghanistan's Hazara minority increasingly fearful under Taliban Al-Monitor spoke to members of the long-persecuted Hazara Shiite minority group in Afghanistan as restrictions on women increase and verifiable information becomes scarcer. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics