Russian officials continue to signal the Kremlin’s uncompromising position ahead of proposed talks in Istanbul on June 2, suggesting that the upcoming Istanbul meeting is very unlikely to yield substantive results in support of an enduring peace in Ukraine. Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Vasily Nebenzya claimed …

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) conducted two attacks in late May 2025 targeting transitional government forces in eastern Suwayda Province, demonstrating that ISIS retains a presence along ground lines of communication (GLOC) between the central Syrian desert and southern Syria.[1] ISIS fighters detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) …

Lebanon’s municipal election results are the first indication that Hezbollah continues to wield influence over its supporters despite the recent war with Israel Lebanon’s municipal elections, which concluded on 24 May, were considered by observers as an important test for Hezbollah’s popularity following the recent war with Israel. The devastation …