Pentagon hastens naval deployment to head off Iran attack on Israel The deployment of an Ohio-class guided missile submarine and hastening of the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln's transit comes as Iran has refused to back down on retaliating for Israel's assassination of Hamas' top political leader in Tehran. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Who is Fuad Shukr, senior Hezbollah military official targeted by Israel in Beirut? The US government accuses Shukr of playing a key role in the 1983 bombing of US Marines in Lebanon, and he was a significant figure in Hezbollah's military apparatus, according to an expert. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Strikes in south Lebanon, Syria as Israel's northern front heats up The situation in Lebanon is at a boiling point amid growing fears of an Israeli retaliatory strike to a deadly rocket attack in the Golan Heights that could lead to a wider regional conflict. Lebanon
Analysis Israel’s Yemen attack against Houthis warning to nuclear Iran While concerns grow in Israel over the continued drone and missile attacks by the Houthis in Yemen, the real threat remains that of Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Houthi drone attack exposes Israel’s vulnerability By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
After Qatar's $20M aid to army, Saudi relief agency grants $10M to Lebanon Saudi Arabia is opening up to Lebanon following years of tensions over Hezbollah’s growing influence in the country. Lebanon
Analysis Somalia eyes fresh external support amid fears of al-Shabab takeover Mogadishu’s counterinsurgency effort appears to be faltering as African peacekeepers prepare to leave, fanning fears of an Afghanistan-like collapse. By Cagatay Cebe In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism
As Lebanon braces, four scenarios for Hezbollah's confrontation with Israel As US officials press their leverage to prevent an Israeli war inside Lebanon, fears of a miscalculation have grown in the last few weeks as both Hezbollah and the Israeli military intensify their clashes. Lebanon
Lebanon holds airport tours to dispel weapons report amid Israel-Hezbollah tension Lebanon has responded to a report that Hezbollah is moving weapons through its international airport with a tour for foreign diplomats and journalists. Lebanon
What's behind Taliban's decision to attend UN conference in Qatar? The attendance in and of itself signals progress and the possibility that the international community might find better ways to deal with the de facto rulers in Kabul. Qatar
US Navy rescues 24 crew members after Houthi attack, 1 lost at sea Two cargo ships are at risk of sinking in the Red Sea, abandoned by their crews after Houthi missile strikes triggered US airstrikes on radar sites controlled by the Yemeni rebels. Yemen
Do Lebanon's US Embassy attack, border clashes signal rise in extremism? While armed groups are becoming more active in Lebanon in the wake of regional tensions resulting from the Gaza war, some believe the country is not prone to rise of extremism. Lebanon
Hamas figure says 'no one has any idea' how many hostages left alive Hamas criticized US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent remarks on the cease-fire and blamed Israel for the failure to reach a deal, while a senior official said the group wants more clarity on the Biden administration proposal. Palestine
In Turkey, Qatar defense chief says no plans to expel Hamas The Qatari minister’s remarks came in response to increasing reports that the Gulf state is considering shuttering Hamas’ political headquarters in Doha. Turkey
US sanctions Palestinian Lion's Den armed group in West Bank The group emerged in 2022 amid an uptick of violence between Palestinians and settlers in Nablus Israel
Attack on US Embassy in Lebanon, Syrian gunman wounded Investigations are ongoing into the shooting incident, which comes amid intensified cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon
Palestinian presidency criticizes Iran's Khamenei publicly: What we know Iran has long backed Hamas and threw its support behind the group following its assault on southern Israel last October. Palestine
