Meet Ali al-Zaidi, businessman and Iraq's new prime minister-designate Legal sources familiar with the nominee told Al-Monitor that there are no US sanctions on Zaidi or financial institutions affiliated with him. Iraq
US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army. Lebanon
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iraq's Shiite alliance nominates Ali al-Zaidi as PM candidate: What to know Ali al-Zaidi, who leads a bank accused of money laundering, received support from previous nominee Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, though it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will approve of him. Iraq
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Hezbollah 'recalculating' Israel's deterrence after Hamas attack, US aid Some military experts believe Hamas' attack and the scope of proposed US military assistance to Israel point to a vulnerability that is making Israel's opponents rethink their positions. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Hezbollah calls for 'day of anger' as Biden heads to Israel, Gaza war rages Cross-border fire has been ongoing between Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and Israel in southern Lebanon since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel last weekend. Lebanon
Day 11 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Oct. 17 Eleven days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Turkey’s Fidan calls Hamas leader, Israeli hostages in Gaza discussed The phone call comes after the Turkish president said last week that his government was working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages. Turkey
Back in Israel, Blinken tries to reach a deal on opening Gaza's Rafah crossing On a second visit in four days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Israel
Day 10 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct. Ten days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
France's top diplomat discusses hostages in Israel, ahead of Lebanon visit French Minister Catherine Colonna met today in Israel with her counterpart Eli Cohen and with families of French-Israelis missing and kidnapped by Hamas before next traveling to Lebanon. Israel
Day 9 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Oct. 15 Nine days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Israel’s intelligence blunder on Gaza: Misreading Hamas abilities, intentions Whether a result of hubris or something more mundane, Israel severely underestimated Hamas’s operational capabilities and intentions, believing that the group was content to sit on the sidelines, even as other groups like Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were on the attack. By Colin P. Clarke In Pittsburgh, US, reporting on counterterrorism, militancy
Day 8 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 14 Eight days into the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nearly 1 million are now displaced in Gaza as rocket barrages continue in the direction of Israel and the Israeli bombardment intensifies on the enclave. Israel
Day 7 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Oct. 13 As the clock ticks down for residents to evacuate north Gaza before a ground invasion, protests are rocking the Arab world and border clashes broken out between the Israeli military and the Lebanese Armed Forces. Israel
