Rapid escalation, caught off guard: Part of why Netanyahu asked Trump to slow down on Iran
Reports indicated that Israel may have been taken by surprise that Trump had been aloof at first, but was suddenly contemplating an attack on Wednesday.
Middle East
Syrian government, SDF agree on immediate ceasefire on all fronts, state media says
Erfan Soltani, Iranian protester sentenced to death, confirmed alive by watchdog
US strike on Khamenei would be tantamount to all-out war against Iran, President Pezeshkian warns
Iran projects normalcy amid internet blackout, claims protesters were 'armed aggressors'
NetBlocks reported that at hour 238 of the digital blackout, there was a “significant return to some online services, including Google, suggesting that heavily filtered access has been enabled.”
Turkey and Qatar got Gaza because Israel refused to make a plan - comment
The day after in Gaza will be decided by whoever takes ownership of it with an executable policy.
Google access restored in Iran following internet blackout, IRGC-linked Tasnim claims
The internet blackout started at approximately 8:30 p.m. on January 8 during nationwide anti-regime protest activity across the Islamic Republic.
Kurdish commander calls on US to 'intervene forcefully' in Syria clashes
The head of the YPG warned that only the US or its coalition partners can halt Syria’s advance into Kurdish-held territory, as government forces seize key towns and energy sites.
Are Iraqi militias and Afghan fighters suppressing protests in Iran? - analysis
It’s possible Iran has used foreign groups to suppress protesters. Because they are foreigners, they have no allegiance to average Iranians and likely don’t mind harming them.
'Muslim NATO': Turkey in advanced talks to join Saudi-Pakistan mutual defense pact
What distinguishes current talks from the historical cooperation among the three countries is the effort to formalize these relationships under a mutual defense framework.
Syria's power struggle: Who controls what, and why fighting continues - analysis
For some commentators, the current conflict in Syria boils down to the new Syrian government attacking Kurdish forces. While this is correct in some ways, it is also very simplistic.
As Iran employs 'absolute digital isolation,' Al Jazeera still broadcasts from Tehran - report
'The Jerusalem Post' was unable to verify additional foreign media outlets where reporters have successfully broadcast from within Iranian territory.
‘We embrace peace’: Gaza’s technocratic committee announces NCAG’s mission statement
Under the guidance of the US President Donald Trump-appointed Board of Peace, NCAG leader Ali Shaath promised to build the foundations for the Gaza Strip to have a prosperous future.
Syria's government faces pivotal moment against SDF, as it retakes largest oil field - analysis
Overnight on January 17 and 18, there were major changes on the ground as Arab tribal fighters claimed to seize control of a number of villages and two oil fields on the East side of the Euphrates.
