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
Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know While avoiding official travel to the US during the Biden administration, Israel's far-right minister is set to embark on a weeklong trip there next week, where he is expected to meet with Trump officials. Israel
Jordan foils 'sabotage' plot involving rockets and drones, 16 arrested Jordan said the members of the group received training in Lebanon, as Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed solidarity with the kingdom. Jordan
Sudan’s Burhan arrives in Turkey on heels of Eritrea visit, key victories The talks come after a major military victory for the Sudanese army in Khartoum against the Rapid Support Forces, who are currently attempting to cement their stronghold in Darfur. Sudan
Israel arrests 6 over Turkey money transfer scheme: What we know The announcement of the indictments comes as Israel over the past week has expanded its operations in the West Bank. Israel
Analysis As Sudan's genocide case against UAE opens at ICJ, legal shield under fire The war in Sudan has been described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 14.6 million people displaced and 30.4 million in need of aid, according to the International Rescue Committee. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
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
Ortagus back in Lebanon to press for Hezbollah disarmament timetable, demarcation US envoy Morgan Ortagus is expected to firmly tell Lebanese officials they need to establish a clear timetable for the disarmament of Hezbollah. Lebanon
Analysis As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey? Israel is concerned not only about the intentions of the new Syrian regime, but also about Turkey's growing presence and influence in the region. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Israeli FM says indirect US-Iran talks likely, hails 'common objective' with France Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said France shares the same concerns as Israel on the Iranian nuclear plan and predicted that Washington would soon launch indirect talks with Tehran. Israel
F-35s, carriers and B-2 bombers: Pentagon reinforces Mideast military presence The Pentagon has been quietly amassing forces in the Middle East amid concerns that Iran's IRGC could lash out at US bases in the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant if the White House's bid to end Tehran's nuclear enrichment via diplomacy goes off the rails. United States
US sanctions Russia-based network for aiding Houthis as strikes continue The sanctions target several individuals based in Russia accused of assisting Houthi official Sa’id al-Jamal, who has been under US sanctions since 2021. Yemen
