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. By Amberin Zaman In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Netanyahu set to meet Trump amid differences over Iran, tariffs and Turkey: What to know In a surprise move, the US president invited the Israeli prime minister to Washington at short notice to discuss his recent tariff decision, the Iranian file and other issues. United States
Top US general calls out Houthi-Shabaab ties across Yemen-Somalia strait The Pentagon has opened the aperture on al-Shabaab in recent months, allowing AFRICOM to ramp up strikes on the al-Qaeda offshoot in the Horn of Africa. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Are Lebanon, Syria ripe for peace with Israel or on cusp of more escalation? While some Israeli leaders hope for normalized ties with Lebanon and Syria, others warn that the uncertainty of the current situation could become permanent or deteriorate. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Turkey, alarmed by sectarian clashes, steps up Syria role, criticizes Iran By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Exclusive Turkey to host regional summit in April on counter-ISIS operations By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Armenia joins US-led global coalition against Islamic State By Amberin Zaman In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
UK appeals court says woman in Syria unlawfully stripped of citizenship The woman, who is living in the Al-Roj camp in northeast Syria, had sought repatriation to the United Kingdom. Syria
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
Islamic State prison break reinforces value of US military protection for Syria's Kurds ‘Cubs of Caliphate’ are among 700 boys held in Islamic State prison, as Syrian Kurdish forces keep up the battle to retake control Syria
Islamic State escalates violence across Baghdad Belt Terrorist attacks increase as Iraq continues government formation process. Iraq
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
Islamic State attempts prison break in Syria's Hasakah, SDF says A spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Islamic State militants set off a car bomb and clashed with security forces. Syria
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
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
Syrian Kurdish forces require displaced Arabs to obtain 'expat card' to remain in their areas The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is requiring Arabs displaced from all Syrian regions who are living in the areas under their control to obtain an expatriate card to be allowed to enter or remain. Syria
Babil massacre increases demand to reform Iraqi security forces Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi refers to the "heartbreaking massacre" and reinforces his commitment to security reform after 20 family members are killed based on specious charges. Iraq
Islamic State ramps up activities in eastern Syria Islamic State is applying Sharia rules in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor and imposing taxes on residents by force of arms. Syria
