How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy. Syria
MBS hosts Sudan's Burhan in Jeddah as $1.5B Saudi-backed arms deal stalls Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan traveled to Jeddah Monday for a visit that could be aimed at salvaging a $1.5 billion Pakistani arms deal Riyadh has reportedly blocked. Sudan
Lebanon-Israel negotiations to continue even as Iran talks stall Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said that Lebanon will lead the negotiations and that no other party will take part, emphasizing that this track is separate from any other talks. Lebanon
Analysis As Lebanon-Israel talks loom, can Syria help in curbing Hezbollah? In the post-Assad landscape, Damascus is seeking to reshape its role — not as Lebanon’s power broker but as a reluctant neighbor aiming to curb Hezbollah while steering clear of deeper entanglement. By Danny Makki In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture
Analysis Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Interview Minister warns aid cuts to Lebanon risk empowering Hezbollah Haneen Sayyed Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs
Pentagon could have done more to prevent casualties in key Syria battle, report A 2017 decision to encircle the Islamic State's capital at Raqqa inhibited the possibility of civilian escape corridors, a Pentagon-sponsored report found. Syria
Russia not sending Syrians to Ukraine just yet, top US general says US CENTCOM has seen no sign of widespread recruitment of Syrians to fight in Ukraine. Syria
Jihadis in Idlib bash Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for role in Ukraine war Chechen jihadis in Syria seek to join the forces defending Ukraine against Russia while condemning the participation of pro-Russian and leader of Russia's Chechnya region Ramzan Kadyrov in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Syria
Infighting between Islamist, Turkish-backed armed groups continues in north Syria Infighting between Turkish-backed factions in north Syria continues despite pleas by civilians, with most recently dozens of members of the civilian police resigning in response to a shootout with the military police that left two of its members wounded. Syria
Jihadi group takes on Salafist opponents in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham cracks down and arrests Salafists who support anti-HTS protests. Syria
Border crossings and foreign fighters rise after Taliban takeover A recent UN report and other worrying signs point to a likely surge in both an al-Qaeda and Islamic State presence in Afghanistan in the six months since the Taliban has been in power. Iran
Drones pose additional security threats, challenges for Iraq With drones flying the Iraqi skies for illegal purposes, security authorities face a host of new challenges. Iraq
Syrian jihadi group tightens noose on Arab, foreign fighters in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is pressuring foreign jihadis in Idlib and giving them two choices: Leave, or integrate into the local community. Syria
Islamic State collaborators received Turkish citizenship, official report shows A leaked report has revealed details about how the jihadi group used Turkey to traffic money and obtain supplies. Turkey
Killing of woman by Syrian jihadi group sparks protests in camps Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shot a woman in the head for smuggling fuel from the opposition areas into Idlib, prompting protests and clashes in the camps for the displaced. Syria
US F-22 squadron arrives to help UAE ward off Houthi attacks France is also lending military support while it remains unclear how proactively US fighter pilots will allowed to engage Houthi targets. Yemen
Three takeaways from US raid that led to the death of IS's Hajji Abdullah IS launched its deadliest attack in years just two weeks before Abdullah Qardash was killed during a US special forces raid in Syria. Syria
