Arab News

March 1, 2026 | Bridget Toomey |

Houthis express solidarity with Iran but do not launch retaliatory attacks—yet

The Houthis have issued statements in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the start of the US-Israeli military campaign, but have not officially announced military action—instead primarily mobilizing demonstrations...

January 27, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israeli forces recover body of last hostage held in Gaza

On January 26, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recovered and identified the body of Ran Gvili, an Israeli police sergeant who was the last hostage held in Gaza. The IDF had been searching for...

January 21, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US withdraws from Iraqi airbase, transfers Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq

US forces left Iraq’s Ain al Assad Airbase in Iraq’s Al Anbar Governorate, according to Iraq’s Defense Ministry, CNN reported on January 19. The redeployment of forces away from the large...

December 31, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Jordan carries out airstrikes in Syria against drug smugglers

The Kingdom of Jordan conducted airstrikes in Syria that targeted drug smugglers between December 23 and 25. The strikes came days after reports at the Jordan News Agency, a state media...

October 31, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Gaza “Stabilization Force” Has a Problem: No One Wants to Go First

The Gaza Deal Is Stuck on Step One—Here’s Why The agreed-upon Gaza deal, set on October 8, is facing several challenges. This has occurred around twenty days after the cease-fire helped end...

October 29, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israeli soldier killed in Gaza attack, IDF responds with airstrikes

An Israeli soldier was killed on October 28 in an attack in Gaza, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with “a series of significant strikes.” The strikes also came after Israel...

October 13, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Hamas frees 20 hostages in wake of US-backed deal

On October 13, Hamas freed the last 20 living hostages it had held in the Gaza Strip for two years, complying with the deal that it and Israel agreed to on October 8 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt....

October 6, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel sends delegation to Egypt for ceasefire talks

Israel sent a delegation to Egypt on October 6 to take part in talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The Israeli delegation headed to Egypt in the wake of President Donald Trump announcing that...

August 24, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US-led raid kills senior Islamic State ‘official’ in Syria

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a raid by US forces killed a “senior ISIS [Islamic State] member” in Atmeh in northwest Syria’s Idlib province on August 19. “Combined Joint...

April 18, 2025 | Ben Cohen |

‘Valid for all countries except Israel’

Authorities in Bangladesh announced that they were reintroducing what is essentially a disclaimer on the passports issued to its citizens.

December 8, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

As Assad falls and Iran weakens, Qatar gains influence across Middle East

While Israel is pleased to see the weakness of the Iranian-backed axis, it’s worth pausing and noting that celebrations should be tempered by reality.

October 16, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: October 16, 2024

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Edmund Fitton-Brown, FDD Event “Time for Berri to lead Lebanon’s Shiites away from Iran,” Hussain...

October 15, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo to discuss Gaza, Lebanon, Red Sea

Historically, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the two pillars of stability for the region, and both are friends of the United States.

September 30, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: September 30, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF Eliminates Head of Hamas in Lebanon in Targeted Strike | Two PFLP Commanders Eliminated in IAF Airstrike in Beirut | Troops Arrest More Than 20 Terror Suspects in Overnight West...

July 15, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Syria’s regime holds symbolic legislative ‘elections’

The elections are worth watching for what they may tell us regarding the regime’s attempts to return to regions in Syria illegally occupied by Turkey.

June 9, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Gulf Cooperation Council meets in Doha, discuss Houthi attacks

The meeting was chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

May 30, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

China may seek greater role in Gaza conflict after Arab summit

Egyptian leader Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bahrain King Hamad attended China-Arab States Cooperation Forum

April 18, 2024 | Saeed Ghasseminejad, Janatan Sayeh

U.S. Presidential Elections Loom Over the Iranian Rial

Tehran’s inflation troubles present a critical vulnerability for the clerical regime.

April 12, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: April 12, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Eliminates Hamas Jabalya Internal Security Head and Hamas Military Wing Commander | IDF Eliminates Head of Hamas’s Terror Infrastructure in West Bank Town of Tubas | March-April...

February 11, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What’s at stake for Israel, Hamas in Rafah showdown?

Gulf media and Western media both focus on the potential operation, showing what is at stake in Rafah.