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
Knesset member threatens to 'blow up' Palestinian, Israeli orphans' summer camp A debate at the Knesset Education Committee meeting grew heated over a summer camp for Israeli and Palestinian orphans, threatening the funding of a venerable Israeli children's institution. Israel
Five Palestinians killed in Israel's West Bank raid as Hamas leader visits Iran The latest violence left five Palestinians dead and wounded at least 91 more, while the Israeli army said seven of its troops were injured in the fighting. Palestine
In new purge, Iran expels independent, Reformist professors Iran's hard-line government is forcing its own critics out of universities. Iran
Lebanon: Argentina issues arrest warrant for 4 Hezbollah operatives in AMIA bombing The four suspects are linked to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured hundreds. Lebanon
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies links to suspects in killing of UN Irish peacekeeper Hezbollah officials have denied court findings that five people formally accused of killing an Irish soldier of the UNIFIL last year were members of Hezbollah. Lebanon
Israel, Hezbollah rattle swords, with military drills near border The military drills of Hezbollah and of the Israel Defense Forces — only a few days apart — reflect growing tensions on Israel’s northern border. Israel
Mysterious Lebanon blast kills Palestinian fighters, Israel denies involvement Israel denied it was behind the mysterious blast that killed five members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command in Lebanon's Bekka Valley region. Israel
CENTCOM commander visits Israel, observes multifront war exercise Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla is on a wider tour of the Middle East as the Pentagon aims to build regional military capabilities to better deter attacks by Iran and its proxies. Israel
Who is the Saudi citizen kidnapped in Lebanon, rescued in army operation? The kidnapping and swift rescue come at a time Lebanon is working to mend ties with Saudi Arabia. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Hezbollah stages war games, unveils drone weapon against Israel The exercises elicited condemnation from local parties in Lebanon. Lebanon
Iran threatens 'pressure' on Taliban amid deepening water row The warning marked the most serious episode in Iran-Taliban ties since the extremist group's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Iran
Sudan: 280 killed as fighting rages in West Darfur The conflict in war-torn Geneina is ethnic in dimension and predates the current conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the rebel Rapid Support Forces. North Africa
