Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war As US President Trump makes contradictory statements regarding his intentions toward Iran and the ongoing negotiations, Israel is preparing for the possibility of resuming military operations. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.
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
Analysis As Lebanon-Israel talks loom, can Syria help in curbing Hezbollah? 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
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
UAE intercepts Houthi ballistic missiles in latest attack The second Houthi attack on Abu Dhabi in just a week marks a new escalation in Yemen's civil war. Yemen
Iraqi army boots PKK-linked leader’s statue from Sinjar, arrests fighters The Iraqi army has arrested several fighters from a PKK-linked Yazidi faction operating in Sinjar as part of an attempt to get them to abide by an accord signed in 2020 for greater stability and security. Iraq
Islamic State stages Syria prison break, kills 11 soldiers in Iraq The Islamic State attacked an Iraqi army barracks and a prison holding jihadists in Kurdish-run northeast Syria overnight. Iraq
Democrats urge Biden to overhaul drone strike policy Democratic lawmakers called on Biden to bring US counterterrorism policy in line with international law. News Brief
Strikes on Baghdad Belt IS cells overshadowed by militia attacks Recent airstrikes on areas close to the Iraqi capital as well as the killing of Islamic State fighters there have received scant attention as Iran-linked groups continue to carry out persistent attacks. Iraq
Will Iran recognize Taliban government in Afghanistan? While Tehran is proceeding slowly when it comes to establishing official ties with the Taliban government, recent talks highlight Iran’s interest in expanding its role in Afghanistan. Iran
Syrian government steps up attack against Islamist enclave The Syrian military is taking more aggressive military action against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib. Syria
Israel offers UAE support after Houthi drone attack Israel and the United States were swift to back Abu Dhabi amid an unprecedented drone attack by Iran-backed rebels. Israel
Rockets target US Embassy as Iraq struggles to form new government An attack on US diplomatic offices in Baghdad widely assumed to have been by Iran-linked militias injured Iraqi civilians instead, as Kataib Hezbollah blamed foreign powers. Iraq
Iraq: Woman, child injured in rocket attack on US Embassy Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that the United States reserves the right to retaliate for such attacks. Iraq
