US troops pull out of Shaddadi base in Syria: What to know The base has been a hub for American troops between the central city of Hasakah and the strategic Khabur River Valley, once the gateway to the Islamic State's oil-producing heartland. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
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
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
Israel carries out strikes in Syria targeting south Damascus: government A number of Iranian IRGC members have been killed in strikes in Syria attributed to Israel in recent weeks. Syria
Two US Navy SEALs presumed dead after anti-Houthi raid: Pentagon The two special operators are presumed dead after attempting to board a stateless boat off Somalia earlier this month. Legacy: Gulf
What's behind Turkey's muted response to Iran-Pakistan escalation? Two considerations stand out in Turkey’s muted response to recent Iranian strikes in Iraq and Pakistan. Turkey
India secures trade, power with new naval role in Middle East Without aligning directly with the US-led mission against the Houthis in Yemen, the Indian navy's independent operations set a precedent for India's evolving military posture in West Asia and mark a departure from its traditional strategic restraint. By Mohammed Soliman In Washington, DC, reporting on Gulf politics
How Iran miscalculated its gamble in the Pakistan strike With its brief attack on Pakistani territory, Iran appears to have shot itself in the foot, inadvertently playing into the Western argument that Tehran is a destabilizing state in an already volatile region. Iran
Across Baluchistan, who are the groups targeted by Iran, Pakistan? The cross-border strikes have raised questions about the separatist groups operating in the border area between Iran and Pakistan. Iran
Pakistan conducts strikes inside Iran as China, Turkey call for restraint The region is already at a boiling point as the Israel-Hamas war continues to reverberate across the Middle East, with attacks in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Iran
Fourth round of US strikes in Yemen as Houthis vow retaliation The US launched the strikes just hours after the Houthis hit a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel off Yemen's southern coast on Wednesday. Legacy: Gulf
Iran-Pakistan tensions simmer after strikes, IRGC officer killed in southeast Iran is seeking to contain the damage to its relationship with Pakistan following a deadly Iranian military strike in Pakistani territory targeting a dissident group. Iran
Alarmed over Ethiopia-Somaliland deal, Arab FMs rally behind Somalia, Egypt Somalia denied entry to an Ethiopian flight heading to Somaliland, as a controversial deal signed between the latter and Ethiopia continues to be a source of concern in the region. Egypt
War looms for Lebanon as border escalation intensifies Cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating in recent days amid fear of a full-blown war. Lebanon
Breaking | Last Updated: January 16, 2024, 10:31 am Live Updates: Attacks in Red Sea, Israel as Gaza death toll passes 24,000 Gaza City was hit with more airstrikes on Monday as Gaza authorities say the death toll has passed 24,000. Israel
