Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha The US-Iran decision to launch direct talks between the IRGC and CENTCOM in Qatar deepens the rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while heightening Israeli fears that Washington is shifting toward Doha and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
CENTCOM commander heads to Israel, Gulf as Lebanon talks stall Israel's top defense official said his country would not withdraw from Lebanon despite diplomatic pressure from Washington as it seeks rapprochement with Iran. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. Turkey
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Fears in Lebanon that US-Iran deal boosts Hezbollah without restraining Israel By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Iran-linked militia calls up thousands of volunteers to fight US forces An IRGC-linked armed faction in Iraq has urged men across the country to take up arms against any US forces remaining after Dec. 31, claiming to have received tens of thousands of "calls" from citizens willing to help. Iraq
France to probe whether Egypt used its intel to target civilians A report from investigative website Disclose said that intelligence from a joint covert military mission in Libya may have been used by Egypt to target and killing smugglers. Egypt
Sudanese ministers resign after prime minister pens deal with coup leaders Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was released from house arrest before he and coup leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan publicly announced a reconciliation deal. Sudan
HTS makes rival jihadis in Syria's Idlib take Sharia courses, give up weapons Hayat Tahrir al-Sham managed to eliminate the jihadist Jundallah organization, forcing its operatives to hand over their weapons and take Sharia courses. By Khaled al-Khateb
Sudan protesters vow escalation after 15 shot dead in Khartoum The UN human rights chief slammed the killings of Sudanese protesters and called on the military to reinstate the government following last month's coup. Sudan
Sadr calls for majority government, 'liquidation' of Iraqi militias Sadr calls for forming majority government as the Iraqi President Barham Salih hosted a meeting with the prime minister and the judiciary head to discuss the current political deadlock and present initiatives for it. Iraq
Sudan minister says coup reversal 'unrealistic' Sudan's finance minister has warned time is running out for deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to join the post-coup leadership. Sudan
Russia, Turkey condemn assassination attempt on Iraqi prime minister Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived a drone attack on his Baghdad residence. Iraq
Sudan coup leader says he will leave government after transition Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan shows no sign, so far, of reversing course. Sudan
Israel drills for possible war with Hezbollah Despite Lebanon's economic crisis and Hezbollah being unlikely to launch a war amid such a dire situation, defense analysts warn that war is still possible. Israel
Assassination attempt against Iraqi PM sparks fear of 'return to chaos' A drone attack on the residence of the Iraqi prime minister has raised the specter of continuing violence by nonstate actors in the country after elections in which Iran-linked armed groups lost dozens of parliamentary seats. Iraq
Top UN officials urge Sudan coup leaders to reverse course New arrests have been reported as the United Nations holds an emergency session on the coup in Khartoum. Sudan
