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
Islamic State leader killed in overnight US raid in Syria The operation near the Turkish border followed a deadly Islamic State prison break in Syria last month. Syria
US to deploy fighter jets, Navy destroyer to UAE after missile attacks Houthi barrages on the UAE are stress-testing Biden’s commitment to end US involvement in Yemen’s civil war. Yemen
Cairo quiet as Ankara reaches out to eastern Libya Cairo and Ankara are at odds over Libya and the wider Mediterranean region, but Ankara’s recent contacts with Cairo’s allies in eastern Libya might encourage rapprochement between the two regional powers. Libya
Qatar agrees with Taliban on resuming Afghanistan evacuations Qatar was bestowed the status of major non-NATO US ally by President Joe Biden yesterday. Qatar
UAE intercepts Houthi ballistic missile as Israeli president visits The Houthis are warning of additional attacks after the third attempted strike on Dubai and Abu Dhabi this month. United Arab Emirates
Baghdad airport hit with rockets, no one hurt No group has claimed credit for the latest attack. Iraq
Fighting resumes at Islamic State prison in Syria Syria's Kurdish-led alliance had declared the prison secure yesterday. Syria
Yemeni government forces make new gains in Marib UAE-backed forces are making sweeping gains against the Houthis despite the rebels' threats against Abu Dhabi. Yemen
Syrian prison battle leaves hundreds dead and many IS free A massive attack on detention facilities in northeastern Syria under US-backed, Kurdish-led forces has ended after almost a week of fighting, though the fate of some hostages remains unclear. Iraq
Iraqi parliament speaker’s home targeted amid power plays At least three rockets landed near a residence of the Iraqi parliament speaker in his native Anbar region on Tuesday as political wrangling, disappearances and threats from Iran-linked militias continue. Iraq
Syria’s Kurdish-led forces regain control of Islamic State prison Some two dozen hostages were freed and more than a thousand IS detainees surrendered after a six-day firefight that left at least 200 dead. Syria
Syria’s Kurdish-led forces advance into Islamic State prison Syrian Kurdish-led fighters have advanced slowly into the Hasakah prison amid reports of hostages. Syria
