Middle East

Egypt steps up military role in Sudan with advanced drone deployment

Egypt, sharing a 1,200 km border with Sudan, has strongly backed Sudan’s military in its nearly three-year conflict with the RSF paramilitary group.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomes with Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chief and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at Cairo International Airport, in Cairo, Egypt, December 18, 2025.

Hamas document reveals secret plan to maintain control of Gaza admin. under NCAG's noses - KAN

An illustrative silhouette of a rifle over a background of the Hamas flag.

Iran fears US strike could break Islamic regime's grip on power by reigniting protests, sources say

Cars burn in a street during a protest over the collapse of the currency's value, in Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2026.

Damascus courts Kurdish trust with arrests, Kurds say Sharaa must acknowledge Rojava atrocities

Members of the Kurdish forces stand guard as Syrian government internal security forces enter the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh on February 2, 2026.

Iran's Khamenei labels protesters 'seditionists' akin to Islamic State as regime kills thousands

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iranian protesters carried out acts similar to Islamic State and blamed the US for creating the group.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looks on during a meeting at the IRGC Aerospace Force achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran November 19, 2023.

Syrian government forces enter SDF held Hasakah after ceasefire deal

Syrian Interior Ministry forces entered Hasakah on Monday under a deal with the US-backed SDF, marking a key test of coordination after weeks of clashes.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Syrian Interior Ministry security forces vehicles prepare to enter the city of Hasakah in northeastern Syria, following an agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces reached on January 30, in Al-hasakah, Syria, February 2, 2026.

Head of new Gaza leadership Ali Shaath says Rafah Crossing opens 'window of hope' for Gazans

Israel fully reopened the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Monday for people on foot, a day after rolling out a limited, one-day pilot on Sunday to address potential logistical issues.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS

A Palestinian patient, accompanied by relatives, waits to leave Gaza for treatment abroad through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt after it was opened by Israel on Monday for a limited number of people, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, February 2, 2026.

UAE denies reports it would assume civilian administration of Gaza

The UAE issued a blunt denial of reports it would take over Gaza’s civilian administration following a Channel 12 report.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

A UAE AID tent stands in front of a collapsed building at Saftawi street in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on February 5, 2025

Witkoff, Araghchi to meet as Iranian general warns ‘no American will be safe’ if conflict erupts

A meeting between US and Iranian officials in Istanbul is seen as a best-case scenario, sources familiar with the plans said.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJAMES GENN, LARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff (L); illustrative.

Satellite photos track Iranian efforts to conceal nuke program's status during threat of US attack

Satellite images show Iran covering and rebuilding parts of Natanz, Isfahan, and Parchin as Washington weighs possible military action.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

New roofs appear on buildings at Iran's Natanz facility, January 2026.

Rafah reopens as Gaza reconnects with world, testing Israel's postwar strategy - analysis

Rafah is one of the sticking points in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and was often the focal point of the war that began in October 2023.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByKEREN SETTON/THE MEDIA LINE

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opens to pedestrian traffic on Feb. 2, 2026.

Kurds in Iraq are powerbrokers in Iraq’s politics, but do they benefit? - analysis

Iraqi Shi’ite leaders arrived in Erbil for talks with Kurdish officials as political deadlock deepens over appointing a new president and prime minister.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN