Iran border clash kills 3 militants, police officer in Baluchistan: What to know Iranian forces have prioritized targeting Jaish al-Adl and other groups in the southeast, and are seeking cooperation with Pakistan on the issue. Iran
On first visit to Paris, Lebanon's Salam secures $88M reconstruction pledge During discussions with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Beirut must implement economic reforms before an aid conference can be organized to support Lebanon's reconstruction. Lebanon
2 Iranian border guards killed in Kurdistan province: What to know Iraq agreed to move Iranian Kurdish groups farther from the border in 2023, but some clashes have occurred since then. Iran
Turkey on edge as clashes continue in Syria's Suwayda, Kurds weigh next move Turkey fears a deepening ethnic fracture in Syria could redraw the regional map — and embolden its own Kurdish population. Turkey
Analysis Will Israel's airstrikes in Druze city derail Syria normalization talks? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Sanctions give Moscow, Tehran something to talk about US sanctions are indeed drawing Russia and Iran closer, but the question now becomes just how close. Russia
Churches reject attempts to weaken Christian presence in Jerusalem As the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is stalled and the Israeli right-wing government is working to expand settlements, Jerusalem-based churches find themselves once again in the spotlight with talks about them selling lands to Israel. Palestine
Palestinian artist gives voice to unrecognized villages Mohamed Badarne has trained his lens on the children from unrecognized villages in the Negev. Palestine
Referendum rift unlikely to damage US-KRG ties As the date for an independence referendum scheduled by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq approaches, the United States increases pressure on the Kurdish parties to postpone the referendum. Iraq
What Trump really wants for the Mideast The unrealistic statements by US envoy Jason Greenblatt about the Palestinian Authority's ruling the Gaza Strip again might indicate that US President Donald Trump does not have a realistic plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Palestinians want to be called ‘state under occupation’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing a UN resolution proposal that will change the definition of “Palestinian territories under occupation” into “a Palestinian state under occupation.” Palestine
Will Palestinians shift strategy to include UN? The Palestinians appear to have started a serious rethink of their national strategy, but it is crucial that they understand both the potential and the limitations that going the United Nations route will provide. Palestine
Netanyahu, a gift to Israel's enemies By perpetuating the occupation and the settlement enterprise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is impairing the dreams of a Zionist state in Israel. Palestine
For Israeli right, there is no occupation The Israeli government's denial of the occupation has led it to intimidating those who dare acknowledge its existence or use the word "occupation." Palestine
Netanyahu and Kushner's diplomatic masquerade Neither Israeli media nor the Israeli political class showed any interest in the most recent meeting between White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Will Jordan, Palestinians form confederation? Palestinian officials are pushing a plan for enhanced cooperation and confederative ties with Jordan. Palestine
KRG doubles down on independence vote after Baghdad meeting A visit by a Kurdish delegation to Baghdad amid strong regional and international objections to a Kurdish independence referendum failed to convince the Iraqi government of the merits of the vote. Iraq
