Middle East


US, partner forces kill or capture 25 ISIS operatives in Syria during December ops

A US Army AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter prepares to support Operation Hawkeye Strike in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec 19, 2025.

An uncertain Tehran responds to Trump-Netanyahu meeting with war rhetoric - analysis

Iran’s Supreme Leader  Ali Khamenei attends a memorial ceremony in Tehran last week for military commanders and scientists killed in the war with Israel in June. Iran is down but not out, says the writer.

Putin speaks with Iran president on nuclear program, Kremlin says

RUSSIA’S PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin meets with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, last month. The bilateral partnership creates uncertainty for neighboring countries, the writer cautions.