Middle East

Four killed in Aleppo clashes as Syria seeks deal with Kurdish SDF forces

At least four people were killed as clashes broke out in Aleppo, with Syrian forces and the Kurdish led SDF trading blame amid stalled integration talks.

Soldiers from the Public Security walk in Aleppo, Syria, April 3, 2025.

Iran opens door to preemptive strikes on Israel, US as response to nationwide protests

Women walk past an anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli billboard displayed on a building in Tehran, Iran, January 4, 2026.

Quiet after gunfire targeting unidentified drones heard near Yemen's presidential palace

A flag of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) flutters on a military patrol truck, at the site of a rally by STC supporters in Aden, Yemen, January 1, 2026.

Israel-Syria talks advance, but key security questions remain

ONE YEAR after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria, under Ahmed al-Sharaa, is perhaps a nicer place to live, but the suspicion that Sharaa’s formula is but a variation of Assad’s has raised questions about Syria’s long-term direction. Here, the president speaks, marking one year since Assad’s fall, o

US envoy Tom Barrack hails new Israel, Syria agreement as 'breakthrough' - interview

“The new Syrian government harbors no hostile intentions toward Israel, and seeks a relationship based on respect and coexistence," The American envoy told The Post.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Istanbul, Turkey, May 24, 2025.

Israel and Syria agree to US-supervised communication cell for military de-escalation

Furthermore, it was agreed to begin talks between Jerusalem and Damascus in civilian areas, including medicine, energy, and agriculture, The 'Post' has learned.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with a map of the Middle East (Illustrative).

Israel approves 4G mobile upgrade for West Bank Palestinians, rollout expected within six months

The Israeli Communications Ministry said the two Palestinian mobile operators, Jawwal and Ooredoo, and the Swedish infrastructure firm Ericsson signed management agreements.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS

Different types of 4G, 5G and data radio relay antennas for mobile phone networks are pictured on a relay mast operated by Vodafone in Berlin, Germany April 8, 2019.

Pahlavi dismisses calls for US-led regime change in Iran, predicts 'Cyrus Accord' with Israel

Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said regime change will be driven by Iranians themselves, rejecting foreign military intervention and predicting closer ties with Israel after the Islamic Republic’s

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Supporters of regime change in Iran rally and hold posters of exiled Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi outside the Wilshire Federal Building, on June 23, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

'The system is in crisis': Kurdish leader tells 'Post' Iran is nearing a Soviet-style break point

“What we are seeing in Iran is not simply an economic crisis. These are primarily symptoms of a deep political crisis,” said Yazdanpana. “The state, the political system, is in crisis."

JANUARY 6, 2026BySUZAN QUITAZ

Protests in Iran, which started on December 28, reach day 10.

Iran protests: Rising death toll hits 29, over 1,200 arrested by regime forces

At least 1,203 Iranians have been detained in the previous nine days of protest activity, according to HRANA's data. Still, "the actual number of detainees is estimated to be significantly higher."

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJAMES GENN, REUTERS

Iranian security forces detain protesters in Mashhad, Iran, January 3, 2026; illustrative.

Syrian Gov't calls resumption of talks with Israel in Paris a 'positive indication' - KAN

Syrian officials expressed optimism about the resumption of talks, but warned that this was "assuming the Israelis come to them seriously," KAN News reported.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN