Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm. Iraq
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Houthis claim new strikes on Saudi Arabia after IRGC warning: What to know A senior Iranian commander said Saudi Arabia will be unable to the defeat the Yemeni group as the conflict intensifies. Yemen
Australia summons Israeli ambassador over World Central Kitchen strike: What to know Australia has summoned Israeli Ambassador Hillel Newman after the Israeli military decided not to open a criminal investigation into the killing of one Australian and six other World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza in 2024. Israel
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
What we know about Israeli strikes on Syrian air base tied to Turkey By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
‘We will intervene’: Turkey’s Fidan warns against dividing Syria Ankara threatens action against the Kurdish-led SDF as the US pushes for the group’s integration into a post-regime Damascus. Turkey
Citing security threats, Sudan blocks WhatsApp calls: What to know The restriction comes as Sudan's civil war continues to devastate telecommunications infrastructure. Sudan
Family says US citizen killed in Syria’s Suwayda The US State Department said Monday that an American citizen was killed during the unrest in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda last week. Syria
Ceasefire fragile as Syria evacuates Bedouins in Suwayda, US urges accountability The Syrian government has moved some Bedouin families out of the southern province after clashes with Druze fighters intensified over the weekend. Syria
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
Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know The airport has been out of operation since the fall of the northern Iraqi city to the Islamic State in 2014. Iraq
Analysis 'You can’t embark on new war every few days': Israel-US daylight grows over Syria Druze, Sharaa The Israeli prime minister is being pressed by the Trump administration to avoid escalating the situation in Syria but also by Israeli Druze to protect their brethren there. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel’s defense chief to visit Pentagon following Syria, Iran strikes: What to know Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to meet in Washington with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other senior American officials to discuss the latest developments in Iran and Syria. Israel
Israeli Druze breach Syria border, call for 'day of rage' over Suwayda clashes The Israeli Druze leadership announced a one-day labor strike on Wednesday and called on all Israeli Druze to go to the border and cross it in order to assist their Syrian brethren in Suwayda. Israel
Lebanon's Druze mobilize in solidarity with Syria's Suwayda: What to know Druze leaders in Lebanon are voicing their growing concerns over the deadly violence unfolding in Suwayda while members of the community are trying to cross the border into Syria. Lebanon
Live Updates Syria says army withdrawing from Suwayda after deadly clashes with Druze The withdrawal follows reportedly an understanding between Damascus and local Druze leaders to end the fighting after days of deadly violence. Syria
