US approves $230M for Lebanon’s push to disarm Hezbollah New US funds for Beirut signal rare bipartisan approval for progress by Lebanon's security forces as they dismantle Hezbollah weapons caches, but significant risks remain as the militant faction resists full disarmament. United States
In first visit in 25 years, Syrian FM pushes sanctions relief in Washington Asaad al-Shibani’s visit to Washington comes as Syria seeks sanctions relief and engages in US-mediated talks with Israel on a security agreement. Syria
Turkey’s spy chief in Damascus as Israel, Syria weigh new security map Ibrahim Kalin’s visit comes as Israel presses Syria on a buffer zone plan and Turkey frets over Kurdish autonomy. Turkey
Armenia's Pashinyan drops Mount Ararat from border stamps in 'concession' to Turkey Armenia’s government will stop using Mount Ararat on border stamps starting in November, a move that has stirred outrage at home and fueled debate over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s outreach to Turkey. Turkey
Advancing separatists could restore South Yemen There are now two rebellions against the internationally recognized government of Yemen: one by the Houthis in the north and a second by secessionists in the south who now have control of Aden. Saudi Arabia
Is Hamas setting up military force in Golan Heights? Israel has accused Hamas of working on setting up a military force in the Syrian Golan Heights at the request of Iran. Palestine
Palestinians wary of Israeli survey at Gaza border crossing The Israeli army has developed a survey for Palestinian travelers to fill out at the Erez crossing, in what some Palestinians argue is aimed at gathering intelligence information about the situation in Gaza. Palestine
Israel moves forward with gradual annexation of West Bank The latest proposal to apply Israeli law on West Bank higher education institutions is part of the settlers’ strategy to gradually annex Palestinian lands. Palestine
Why is Turkey so worried about border guards? A CIA-trained border force in northern Syria would mean the institutionalization and legitimization of a Kurdish-led military body on Turkey’s border. Syria
Tension keeps rising in Cairo over Turkey-Sudan island pact The Turkish-Sudanese deal over Suakin Island has sparked angry reactions to the possibility of Turkey building a military base on the island, posing a threat to Egypt’s national security. Egypt
Jerusalem's political orphans Israeli officials are making unilateral decisions about the fate and future of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem. Palestine
Israel sets the stage for further division of the West Bank There are signs that Israel is moving ahead with its plan to establish the E1 area aimed at breaking up the West Bank and expanding the Israeli borders of Jerusalem. Palestine
Iran, Turkey have own plans for Iraq's strategic Sinjar The Islamic State has been largely driven out of Iraq, but Turkey and Iran both remain intensely interested in certain areas. Iraq
Iraq’s intervention may change the equation in Syria's Kurdish regions The closure of the Fish Khabur and Rabia border crossings between Iraq and Syria may jeopardize the Kurdish federal project in northern Syria. Iraq
Syrian opposition 'interim government' takes control of Bab al-Salameh border crossing The Free Syrian Army has handed over the administration of the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey to the co-called Syrian Interim Government, in what could positively impact the opposition on many levels. Syria
Are Russia, Iran outflanking the US in Iraq? Russia deftly manages potentially choppy ties with Iran, while the United States claims Iran "subverting Iraq." Iraq
