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
Day 6 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Oct. 12 On day six of the war, Israel gave the United Nations a deadline to evacuate residents in northern Gaza ahead of a ground invasion. Israel
Day 5 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Oct. 11 On day five of the war, Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens while Israel readies for a ground incursion against Hamas. Israel
Explainer: As Lebanon-Israel border heats up, 3 armed groups stand out Several Palestinian militants are active in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Lebanon
Khamenei cheers Hamas' 'epic' attacks on Israel, but denies Iran role While taking "pride in Palestinian youths" for their attacks on Israel, the Iranian leader shielded Tehran from mounting accusations that it was behind the deadly operations. Iran
Pentagon warns Iran, Hezbollah to stay out of Hamas war with Israel The Biden administration deployed an aircraft carrier strike group in a bid to deter a multi-front war against Israel, but lack of a formal defense treaty with Israel and Congressional authorities could inhibit Washington's ability to respond. Iran
Day 3 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Oct. 9 On the third day of our live coverage, Israel called up reservists and was preparing for a ground offensive into the Gaza Strip. Israel
US works to confirm reports 'several Americans' killed, missing in Israel Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US citizens could be among the more than 100 people the Israeli government said were held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel
Israel-Saudi normalization falls casualty of Hamas attack The US-brokered talks were making progress; that’s probably why Iran gave Hamas the green light. Israel
Day 1 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Oct. 7 In our first day of live coverage, Hamas militants invaded southern Israel. Israel
Turkey escalates airstrikes in Syria, but will it cross US, Russia red lines? The likelihood of a fresh Turkish ground offensive in northern Syria appears to weaken after the unprecedented shooting down of a Turkish drone by the United States. Turkey
![Smoke billows from the Babasi oil facility in the countryside of al-Qahtaniya in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakeh province on October 6, 2023 following a Turkish strike. (Photo by Delil souleiman / AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Delil souleiman has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [BABASI] instead of [BASBASI]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your serve](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/2023-10/GettyImages-1709016702.jpg?h=8f404aa9&itok=3DbBgJnW)
