Syria’s Sunni Islamist regime consolidates power, ending Kurdish autonomy
BEHIND THE LINES: The arrival of Syrian forces to Qamishli sets the seal on the effective demise of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).
Middle East
Reports point to defiance within IRGC after mass killings in Iran
Fire breaks out in Iranian military complex, no injuries reported
Satellite images show Iran is rebuilding missile arsenal, nuclear sites - New York Times
Hezbollah accepts resignation of senior security official Wafiq Safa, sources say
Safa, who heads Hezbollah's liaison and coordination unit responsible for working with Lebanese security agencies, survived an Israeli assassination attempt in October 2024.
France, Bahrain sign bilateral defense deal which includes strategic information sharing
"This agreement will also open up new opportunities for industrial cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries," said French President Emmanuel Macron.
Iran ‘playing poker,’ unprepared for regional war, former deputy commander of CENTCOM tells ‘Post’
Former Vice-Admiral Robert Harward tells The Jerusalem Post that Iran's regime is near collapse, citing its weakened state, protests, and failed aggression, with US options for supporting protesters.
Sen. Graham ends meeting early with Lebanese official, says Lebanon unreliable peace partner
Graham added that “too much is at stake” in the Middle East for the Lebanese attitude, and said that he was “tired of the double speak.”
No clear objectives for US military action in Iran, officials say
Senior US officials are unclear on Trump's objectives for military action in Iran, as indirect talks continue in Oman amid rising tensions.
Iran rejects call to halt uranium enrichment after second round of indirect US negotiations in Oman
An Iranian official told Reuters the direct talks had not officially started, and that Iran’s demands had been conveyed to the US via Oman.
US reiterates call for all citizens to 'leave Iran now,' in security alert on open border crossings
The US urged its citizens to "leave Iran now" due to protests, security measures, and flight disruptions. Dual nationals face the risk of detention, the travel advisory warned.
Talking to Tehran: Why US returned to the negotiating table as Iran was at its weakest
MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS: That is a question many are now asking, alongside other questions that reflect a deeper sense of confusion: Wasn’t the issue Iran’s killing of protesters, not centrifuges?
Former Iranian official reveals IRGC trained for years for violent crackdown on protesters - report
According to the former official, thugs were employed by the regime to "identify individuals and guide or misdirect street movements."
Francesca Albanese expected to speak at Al Jazeera Forum alongside Hamas leader, Iran's FM - report
Albanese is listed on Al Jazeera's site as a speaker during the forum's third session on its first day, during a panel titled: "The Palestinian Cause in a World Moving Toward Multipolarity."
