Vicious cycle of alarmism could lead Israel into unwanted war with Iran - analysis
While neither side wants war, both Jerusalem and Tehran suspect each other of being ready to suddenly launch a surprise attack.
Middle East
Lebanese ex-officer connected to Ron Arad reported missing, believed 'kidnapped' by Israel - report
Lebanese officials deny any links between army and Hezbollah after IDF strike in southern Lebanon
Iraq says gas supplies from Iran have been halted as Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign kicks in
Iran pushes for cultural, economic diplomacy with nations across central Asia - report
Iranian official Ali Asghar Tahmasebi reportedly emphasized the importance of developing Central Asia via "economic diplomacy."
Israeli, American strategies on Iran diverge as timelines shrink, and risks grow - analysis
Geography, military exposure, and political constraints push Jerusalem and Washington to assess the same intelligence through very different clocks.
Egypt, Turkey move in step as Washington, Jerusalem pull apart - analysis
Regional coordination between Cairo and Ankara accelerates amid growing differences between the US and Israel over Turkey’s role after the Israel-Hamas War.
Israel sending weapons, aid to Syria's Druze as it monitors Sharaa, Washington Post reports
The airdrops on Dec. 17, 2024, came nine days after Assad’s removal and included 500 rifles sent to the Druze-led Military Council.
Iran may be concerned over possible Israeli strikes, messaging from Tehran suggests - analysis
Iranian officials are emphasizing deterrence and diplomacy amid reports of Israeli concern over Tehran’s missile program and the risk of renewed escalation.
Gunfights in northern Syria show tensions remain between Sharaa, Kurdish forces - analysis
Renewed clashes between Damascus forces and Kurdish units in Aleppo underscore how fragile efforts to integrate the SDF into Syria’s new security framework remain, despite ceasefire agreements.
While US sees Iran as 'destabilizing factor,' Trump using sanctions, not military force - official
“Iran’s destabilizing behavior threatens the national interests of the United States, and therefore President Trump has reinstated a policy of ‘maximum pressure,’" the official said.
Druze claim Syrian gov't attack in Sweida, as clashes between Syrian army, SDF de-escalate - report
Syrian Druze militias were attacked by troops allegedly linked with the Syrian government in the Sweida region, while clashes were reported in northern Syria, according to Syrian media.
Iran not transferring enough funding, Hezbollah complains, demanding $2 billion - report
Over the last year, Tehran transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah to provide its force rehabilitation due to downsizing as a consequence of the war with Israel.
‘Never Again’ revisited: The Jewish community’s struggle to balance Darfur, Oct. 7 priorities
Today, six years after the end of al-Bashir’s reign and 14 years after the founding of South Sudan as an independent country, Darfur is again descending into chaos.
