Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know The Syrian government is stepping up efforts to combat arms smuggling, including in relation to Hezbollah, Kurdish-led forces and ISIS. Syria
Analysis Trump has upper hand over Netanyahu, but is it enough for Gaza? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been stalling on the implementation of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, but at the end of the day, Trump has much more leverage over Netanyahu. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
US bombs ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for Palmyra insider attack The Islamic State has not claimed direct credit for the ambush by a member of Syria's domestic security forces that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last week. Syria
Second Lebanon-Israel meeting agrees to strengthen Lebanese army: What to know The second round of civilian-led talks between Israel and Lebanon focused on the economic track while also addressing the removal of Hezbollah's weapons. Lebanon
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Anti-Zionist Jewish group says Israel's Ben-Gvir has 'extreme settler attitude' Neturei Karta is known for its staunch opposition to Israel, and the group has caught the wrath of right-wing national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Israel
Protests erupt in southern Iraq as man sentenced for tweeting against PMU Security concerns for southern Iraq have risen following an attempted suicide attack near Karbala and deadly protests in Nasiriyah sparked by a prison sentence for a man accused of insulting security forces. Iraq
Turkey’s strikes in Syria put US troops in danger, Pentagon says A Turkish drone strike on a top Kurdish commander’s headquarters came within 130 meters of US troops in Syria on Tuesday. Turkey
