Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

The issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament resurfaces amid US pressure, shifting regional dynamics, and Iran's decisive role.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

Women are seen walking at the Roj Camp in northeast Syria, on April 8, 2025.

Exclusive

Syria's Kurds say Trump aid cuts are feeding radicalism in ISIS camps

In an interview at Syria’s Roj camp, the head of intelligence for the Women’s Protection Units warns that US funding cuts are fueling a resurgence of ISIS ideology among detained women and children, deepening an already volatile security crisis.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US forces patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Sept. 3, 2024.

US weighs plans to slash troop presence in Syria by more than half

Fewer than 1,000 US troops could remain in the country in order to retain limited oversight of ISIS prisons controlled by Kurdish-led forces across the country’s northeast, according to officials briefed on the latest plans.

Israeli far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attends a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza, on Oct. 21, 2024, calling to establish a new Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know

While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next week, where he is expected to meet with Trump officials.

Latest News

Jordan foils 'sabotage' plot involving rockets and drones, 16 arrested

A picture taken during a tour organized by the Jordanian Army shows a drone flying over an observation post along the border with Syria, on Feb. 17, 2022.

Sudan’s Burhan arrives in Turkey on heels of Eritrea visit, key victories

People cheers as Sudan's de facto leader, armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrives at the market in Port Sudan on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel arrests 6 over Turkey money transfer scheme: What we know

An Israeli military vehicle moves through a street in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, West Bank, Oct. 1, 2024.

Analysis

As Sudan's genocide case against UAE opens at ICJ, legal shield under fire

A fighter loyal to the army patrols a market area in Khartoum on March 24, 2025.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Syrian anti-government fighters celebrate as they pour into the captured city of Hama, Dec. 6, 2024.

Analysis

Israel cheers disintegration of Iran axis, mulls collapse of Assad's Syria

While pleased about the seeming collapse of the Iran-led "axis of resistance," Israeli leaders are concerned about its speed and Syria's possible disintegration.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

This combination of file photographs created on July 7, 2024, shows Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) in Ankara on May 29, 2023, and Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on July 16, 2023.

Turkey’s Erdogan ups rhetoric, says Assad must ‘urgently engage' with rebels

Erdogan is urging the Syrian government to urgently launch a dialogue with rebels in a bid to end the civil war after insurgents captured Hama.

US soldiers inspect the site of reported Turkish shelling days earlier on an oil extraction facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan, in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakeh province on Oct. 28, 2024.

Three US troops in Syria evaluated for brain injuries after Deir ez-Zor incident

It remains unclear whether the injured American troops were involved in supporting a nearby effort by US-backed militia to oust pro-Assad forces from local villages east of the Euphrates River.

An anti-government fighter covers his ears as a multi-barrel rocket launcher fires against regime forces, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on Dec. 4, 2024.

Analysis

Rebel offensive to force Syria onto Trump’s agenda

With just over a month before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Syria’s forgotten war has reignited.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A Syrian anti government fighter fires his rifle into the air in the streets of the west-central city of Hama on Dec. 5, 2024.

US on sidelines, Russia’s foothold tested as rebels take Syria’s Hama

The rebel blitz over the past week, alongside the collapse of Syrian army positions, has delivered the Islamist militants to the city of Hama and within 90 miles of strategic Russian bases on the Mediterranean Sea.

picture taken at the entrance of the Kweyris military airfield in the eastern part of Aleppo province, on Dec. 3, 2024, shows a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian rebels take control of Hama in major blow to Assad

Government and rebel forces had been fighting over the strategic city for days after the latter seized Aleppo.

Displaced Syrian Kurds drive a vehicle loaded with belongings on the Aleppo-Raqqa highway.

Clashes in strategic city of Hama intensify as Syrian military battles rebels

Rebel forces moved toward the central city of Hama after taking Aleppo, while the government sent reinforcements to the area.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

US airstrikes hit pro-Assad forces in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor: What to know

The US military is taking advantage of the Syrian government's hasty retreat from Aleppo to muscle up its own defenses on the other side of the country near key oil reserves in the Euphrates River valley near the Iraq border.

NOEMIE DE BELLAIGUE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Germany arrests suspected Hezbollah member: What we know

Germany has arrested a man suspected of membership in Hezbollah accused of running two affiliated associations in Germany.

An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadis and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on Nov. 30, 2024.

Analysis

With eye on Iran, Israel wary of Syria rebels offensive, prefers Assad

Israel is now debating whether the recent upsurge of rebels in Syria could increase regional threats and its strategic interests.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

An Israeli tank is transported to a position in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, Sept. 29, 2024.

Analysis

Could Israel preserve Lebanon ceasefire while retaliating against Hezbollah?

While retaliating against what it considers violations by Hezbollah, Israel insists the ceasefire accord with Lebanon is still on.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Smoke rises from the site of Israeli airstrikes that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs on Nov. 25, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Analysis

As Lebanon ceasefire wobbles, can Hezbollah afford to retaliate against Israel?

Although keeping the ceasefire seems to be in Hezbollah’s best interest, the Iran-backed "Party of God" may have to deal with a new paradigm in the near future.

Miguel Flores Hormigo

By Miguel Flores Hormigo