Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

US President Donald Trump speaks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem.

Analysis

Gaza deal stalls over deceased hostages after Trump’s euphoric Israel visit — is Netanyahu relieved?

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined US President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the Sharm el-Sheikh conference on ending the war and rebuilding Gaza.

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

US President Donald Trump speaks to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem.

Trump hails Gaza hostage deal in Knesset speech, vows to expand Abraham Accords

In a triumphant speech at the Knesset, US President Donald Trump hailed the release of surviving hostages from Gaza and pledged support for Gaza’s reconstruction and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.

Israeli army soldiers gather near infantry-fighting vehicles (IFVs) at a position along the Israel-Gaza border fence on October 10, 2025. Gaza's civil defence agency said October 10 that Israeli forces have begun pulling back from parts of the territory, particularly in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Israeli prime minister's office said that the government had "approved the framework" of a hostage release deal with Hamas, as both sides edged closer to ending more than two years of hostilities in Gaza. (Photo by

Analysis

Netanyahu gamble appears to pay off as Israelis cheer Gaza retreat, planned hostage release

The Israeli military started its withdrawal from the Strip even before receiving a formal order to do so.

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

People walk along a destroyed road past heavily-damaged buildings in the centre of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 10, 2025, as the displaced return to their homes after Israeli forces' withdrawal.

Pentagon bolsters Gaza ceasefire oversight with 200-troop mission to Israel

US military officials will help coordinate everything from logistics of humanitarian aid deliveries to building security force teams, but doubts remain as to whether any side can force Hamas to disarm.

Latest News

Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat

People celebrate at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Oct. 9, 2025, following the announcement of the new Gaza ceasefire deal.

US sanctions firms in China, Turkey, UAE over Iran drone network

Drones are displayed on the back of a vehicle during an official military parade marking the ninth anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, on Sept. 21, 2023.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Israel says Iran weapons plot foiled in West Bank: What to know

An Israeli soldier displays military equipment and ammunition that Hamas and Palestinan militants used at the time of the attack on the Israeli south border with the Gaza Strip on Oct. 20, 2023, in Kiryat Malakhi, Israel.

Syria: Siege persists in Aleppo’s Kurdish enclaves despite SDF-Damascus truce

MOHAMAD DABOUL/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Members of Taliban delegation take their seats during the multilateral peace talks on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RC1BDF87BDC0

Why Iran has opened up about engagement with Taliban

Iran's engagement with the Taliban amid the ongoing US peace negotiations with the group is part of Tehran’s strategy of defensive engagement in its efforts to adapt to the changing geopolitics of Afghanistan.

Iraqi border eyes Iran influence as US plans Syria pullout

After the retaking of IS-held territory across the border and the US announcement it would pull its troops out of Syria, Iraq’s western Anbar is grappling with the prospect of increased Iranian influence amid joblessness, a lack of electricity and reports of cross-border drug smuggling.

Falih al-Fayadh, Iraq's interior minister candidate arrives at parliament headquarters in the capital Baghdad on October 24, 2018, prior to a vote on the new proposed cabinet. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)

Intel: How an Iraqi court gave Iran influence over Baghdad’s security policy

Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Yazidi activist Nadia Murad gestures while talking to people during her visit to Sinjar, Iraq December 14, 2018. REUTERS/Ari Jalal - RC19D80529C0

Sinjar road reconnects estranged Yazidis and Kurds with Baghdad

The opening of a strategic road in Iraq's Kurdistan Region — closed since the Kurds' ill-fated independence referendum in September 2017 — could be a prelude to a reset in ties between Erbil and Baghdad.

Israeli soldiers stand guard at a check-point on a raod leading to the border line between Israel and Lebanon, on the Israeli side of the border December 9, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC11450F0E90

The unlikely war between Iran, Hezbollah and Israel

Despite increasingly tough rhetoric and the launch of an operation along the border with Lebanon, Israel is unlikely to enter all-out war against Iran and its regional allies.

Syrian soldiers and pro-regime militiamen man a heavy machine-gun mounted on the back of a pickup truck as they ride in the recently retaken desert town of Al-Qaryatain on October 26, 2017.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, reported on October 23, 2017 that Islamic State (IS) group militants massacred more than 100 people in the desert town of Al-Qaryatain during the month before they lost it to regime forces.
Before the civil war broke out in 2011, al-Qaryatain was a symbol

Syria seeks to integrate myriad paramilitaries

The Syrian government faces a "what now?" dilemma as it struggles to deal with all the militant groups it recruited to fight for the regime, along with rebels who have surrendered.

USAID money diverted to Syrian terrorist group

"Numerous instances" of diversion reported by US watchdog agency; US sanctions between Iraq and a hard place.

PALERMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 12: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte welcomes Fuat Oktay, Vice President of Turkey during the Conference for Libya at Villa Igiea on November 12, 2018 in Palermo, Italy. Heads of State, ministers and special envoys are holding a two day meeting where they will discuss about security and stability in Libya. (Photo by Tullio Puglia/Getty Images)

Will Turkey remain involved in Libya?

Although some perceive Turkey’s walking out of the Palermo conference as stepping back from the Libya process, it doesn’t mean that Turkey is giving up its struggle for influence.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attends the second day of the international conference on Libya in Palermo, Italy, November 13, 2018. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane - RC14C7724000

Is Putin getting serious on Libya?

As Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev led the Russian delegation to the Palermo conference on Libya, Moscow spoke of its economic interests in the country but, most importantly, was sending a strong political message to warring factions.

Iran-backed PMU militias in Iraq raising profile

Danish elite forces left the Iraqi-Syrian border area in late October against a backdrop of tension between Denmark and Iran.

Will Idlib buffer zone agreement see the light?

The second item of the Turkish-Russian agreement on Syria’s Idlib providing for the withdrawal of jihadist organizations from the heavily demilitarized buffer zone is facing serious obstacles.

Israel, Hamas should adopt ‘tacit bargaining’

Much like the tacit bargaining between Israel and Hezbollah following the IDF's 1996 Operation Grapes of Wrath, Israel must now negotiate with Hamas.