Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal but hurdles remain The latest Qatari outline is based on a previous US proposal and has Israel somewhat hopeful for a deal with Hamas. Palestine
Analysis Israel-Syria peace push mulls US troops by Golan, ‘reformulating’ armistice agreement With the difficulty of negotiating the Golan Heights, Israel and Syria are considering something less than a peace treaty and full normalization. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US approves over $500M arms sale to Israel ahead of Netanyahu visit The State Department has greenlit $500 million worth of JDAM guidance kits for Israeli bombs, as at least 80 people were reportedly killed by Israeli military gunfire and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday. United States
Israel strikes Lebanon as pressure mounts in Beirut to disarm Hezbollah The US demands that the Lebanese cabinet approve a plan on the disarmament of Hezbollah as Israeli attacks in south Lebanon continue despite a ceasefire. Lebanon
Analysis Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos? By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Analysis How Trump’s call to end Netanyahu’s trial is linked to broader Gaza deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
At least 4 Palestinians killed in West Bank as Israeli settler violence rises: What to know Palestine
US citizens on first Qatar Airways flight from Kabul since pullout Qatar’s special envoy to Afghanistan said the Hamid Karzai International Airport is “fully up and running” and that another passenger flight will depart on Friday. Qatar
Iraqi PM vows to fix Kirkuk security issues after gruesome Islamic State attack Following an Islamic State attack in which over a dozen Iraqi policemen were killed, the prime minister criticized military leaders’ “shortcomings” and pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, counterterrorism operations continue in the same disputed province to prevent further attacks. Iraq
After Afghanistan pullout, US pursues long-distance diplomacy from Qatar Without a diplomatic presence on the ground in Kabul, the United States will engage with the Taliban from a remote mission in Doha. Qatar
Quds Force commander says Iran will take 'realistic' approach in Afghanistan Iran must strike a balance between accepting the reality of the Taliban and supporting Shiite and other ethnic groups. Iran
Taliban rules out relations with Israel A Taliban spokesman told a Russian news outlet that the Afghan Islamist group wants relations with other Asian states, but "of course" not Israel. News Brief
SDF transfers extremist IS women to Roj camp in Hasakah The Syrian Demographic Forces moved 300 families of extremist women from al-Hol camp to Roj camp in Hasakah countryside, to confine them to one camp and control security in al-Hol camp. Syria
Clashes in Libya’s capital raise concerns over stability ahead of elections The UN's assistance mission to Libya expressed "grave concern" over the heaviest fighting in months. Libya
How will Taliban’s return affect jihadi movements in Turkey, Syria? Salafi-jihadi groups in Turkey and neighboring Syria may look for inspiration from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, but their prospects appear rather limited at present. Turkey
Pentagon defends Kabul drone strike as ‘righteous’ The rules of engagement were followed in the lead-up to a strike that killed 10 people, including children, the top general says. Qatar
Iran-Afghan trade has murky future under Taliban While the chaos that followed the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan will present challenges to trade, resulting geopolitical shifts could provide some opportunities for Tehran. Iran
Threatened Yazidi interpreters in Iraq say Afghan evacuation a wake-up call Former Iraqi interpreters already hunted because of their faith say the rush to rescue wartime allies from Taliban-run Afghanistan should serve as a cautionary tale. Iraq
UK willing to strike IS-K in Afghanistan after withdrawal The United Kingdom can strike Afghanistan if the opportunity is presented, the Royal Air Force chief has said. Legacy: Gulf
