Middle Orient

Israeli defense officials say Hamas is rebuilding and coordinating with Hezbollah and Iran to challenge the ceasefire across multiple fronts. Hamas is closely coordinating with Hezbollah and Iran to revive and rebuild the “axis of resistance,” while the IDF expanded strikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon, Israeli defense officials said …

Spy agency probe finds that guns seized in Austria last month belonged to son of Hamas political leader, who likely got green-light for attack from his father while in Doha Recently foiled Hamas terrorist plots in Europe were planned in Qatar and possibly Turkey, the Mossad intelligence agency said Wednesday, …

Latest Developments ‘Violation of Sovereignty and Unity’: The Syrian government strongly condemned a November 19 visit to Israeli-controlled Syrian territory by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Calling Netanyahu’s presence “a dangerous violation of Syrian sovereignty and unity,” the government reiterated its call for Israel’s withdrawal. The visit also resulted in …

Toplines Iran has reportedly signalled its willingness to resume negotiations with the United States if its “rights” — which refers to its right to enrich uranium on Iranian soil — are guaranteed.[1] Iran’s demand violates the stated US red line that Iran must halt all domestic uranium enrichment to resume …

Al Jazeera’s leadership shake-up has been in the headlines. Will its new executives direct the Qatari state-funded media arm to cease its cozy relationship with Hamas? Allegations have been swirling that the royal family’s soft power news outlet is not merely reporting what Hamas says but is actively collaborating with …

Sudani did very well at the ballot box, but the peculiarities of Iraq’s long government formation process and the final distribution of parliamentary seats may leave the main Iran-backed coalition in the driver’s seat. At first blush, the results of Iraq’s November 11 parliamentary election were encouraging, including for U.S. …

The US military is evaluating a US Navy inquiry about a possible temporary base near Gaza that could house 10,000 people, a document that has triggered public denials from the White House and US Central Command. The internal request for information, reviewed by Bloomberg, asked pre-approved contractors for cost estimates …

The Syrian Ministry of Defense has begun issuing military identification cards for members of the Syrian Army as part of efforts to strengthen discipline, institutional belonging, and organizational identity. In a statement published Thursday, October 9, the ministry said the new military ID is a unified card for all personnel …

In a declaration of steadfast resolve, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Katz has asserted that Israeli forces will remain firmly entrenched atop Mount Hermon and continue their vigilant oversight of what he described as a “security zone” in southern Syria. Katz emphasised that this position is non-negotiable, characterising it as a …

Iran is strengthening ties with allies in Iraq and Lebanon while accusing the US and Israel of coercive diplomacy in its latest regional push. Iran continues to do outreach to its friends in Iraq and Lebanon while also slamming Israel and making it seem like talks with the West are …