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
Pentagon watching closely Wagner’s Mideast posture as questions surround its future In an excerpt from this week's Security Briefing, Pentagon correspondent Jared Szuba looks at what's next for Wagner's forces in the Middle East and North Africa following the private military company's short-lived mutiny in Russia. Syria
Wagner base in eastern Libya hit by ‘unknown’ drone strike The strike comes as Russia steps up its campaign against the Wagner group in the countries where it is active following last week’s failed mutiny against President Vladimir Putin. Libya
Qatar seen most peaceful in Middle East as Israel dips, Turkey ties Iran: GPI The Global Peace Index placed Turkey as the least peaceful country in Europe ranking, and tied with Iran as the 147th most peaceful country globally. Israel
Israel: seizure of millions of dollars in crypto linked to Iran IRGC, Hezbollah The news follows Hamas announcing it will not use Bitcoin anymore and more government scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions, including by the United States. Israel
Lebanon seizes Captagon shipment bound for central Africa, Gulf Lebanon's latest bust comes as US sanctions and other measures work to counter trafficking in the country. Lebanon
Israel's Herzog calls Abbas, condemns settler violence against Palestinians Speaking on the phone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Isaac Herzog slammed the violent rampage of settlers in recent days in several Palestinian villages. Israel
Israel thanks Cyprus for stopping alleged Iranian plan to attack Israelis Israel is expressing gratitude to Cypriot authorities who reportedly stopped an Iranian attack on Israelis in the country, where Iran was accused of plotting to attack Israelis back in 2021. Israel
Lebanon’s Hezbollah says it downed Israeli drone on border The Israeli army acknowledged the downing, saying the drone crashed in Lebanese territory during routine activity. Lebanon
South Syria increasingly unstable even as normalization proceeds with Assad Economic turmoil and failed attempts at reconciliation over a decade after the beginning of Syria's civil war keep the country on unstable footing. Syria
Analysis Israel’s control challenged by Hezbollah in north, restive West Bank Growing settler violence without the army or law enforcement agencies reacting reflects a worrying phenomenon — of the Israeli government losing control across the board. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Palestinian Authority reports 310 attacks by Israeli settlers in West Bank Violence is ongoing since a Monday Israeli raid in Jenin that killed seven Palestinians and included rare airstrikes. Palestine
Knesset member threatens to 'blow up' Palestinian, Israeli orphans' summer camp A debate at the Knesset Education Committee meeting grew heated over a summer camp for Israeli and Palestinian orphans, threatening the funding of a venerable Israeli children's institution. Israel
