In an unprecedented move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) decided on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to significantly expand the unit responsible for protecting senior officers. For the first time, the military will recruit "permanent security personnel" to provide 24/7 protection for high-ranking generals and military delegations abroad. The protection will even extend to certain officers after they retire, reflecting a heightened threat level following two years of high-profile

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Iranian military sent a blunt message to Washington, describing U.S. bases in the Middle East as "easy targets" and highly "vulnerable." Army spokesman Amir Akraminia urged President Donald Trump to choose between "compromise or war," emphasizing that Iran's reach extends to every American facility in the region. This rhetorical escalation coincides with the heavy U.S. naval buildup, including the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group. This milit

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators convened in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for a critical second round of trilateral security talks mediated by the United States. Ukrainian Chief Negotiator Rustem Umerov confirmed the start of the meetings, which involve separate and joint sessions to bridge the vast divide over territorial control and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The Kremlin, however, has imposed a total media blackout, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating

At the conclusion of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Turkey issued a landmark joint statement following talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both nations demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire, while formally joining the "Peace Council" to support the U.S.-backed civilian administration of the strip. Regarding Yemen, the two powers emphasized the country's unity and sovereignty, explicitly rejecting

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian officially instructed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday to seek "fair and balanced" negotiations with the U.S. in Istanbul this coming Friday. Pezeshkian’s move comes amid intense regional mediation but remains conditional on an environment "free of threats." This marks the most significant diplomatic shift since President Donald Trump combined military buildup with an invitation to talk. The stakes are immense: Trump has warned of

For the first time in nearly a year, the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on Monday, February 2, 2026. The initial phase of operation remains highly restricted, allowing only 50 individuals per direction daily, primarily prioritizing critical medical cases and students. The process is being monitored by the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) alongside Palestinian Authority staff. While residents like amputee "Mohammed Nasser" view the reopen

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday, February 1, 2026, the assassination of Ali Dawoud Amees (also reported as Amayd), identified as a division head in Hezbollah’s Engineering Department. The targeted airstrike took place in the southern Lebanese town of Doueir. According to the military statement, Amees was actively involved in rehabilitating military infrastructure and advancing operational plans against Israeli forces in the Nabatieh district. The IDF chara

Gaza remains caught between a fragile truce and relentless violence. While the National Committee for Gaza Management confirmed the official reopening of the Rafah Crossing in both directions starting Monday (with operational trials beginning Sunday), Israeli airstrikes killed at least 32 Palestinians on Saturday. The attacks targeted displacement camps and the Sheikh Radwan police station, claiming the lives of women, children, and officers. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya laun

In a major escalation of "Maximum Pressure 2.0," President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a massive U.S. naval armada—led by the USS Abraham Lincoln—is transiting toward Iran at high speed. Describing the force as larger than the fleet recently deployed to Venezuela, Trump warned on Truth Social that "time is running out" for Tehran to return to the negotiating table for a "fair and equitable" deal that permanently bars nuclear weapons. The President explicitly refe

In a defiant press conference, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that he would never allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza, asserting that Israel must maintain full security control "from the Jordan River to the Sea." Netanyahu took credit for consistently blocking Palestinian statehood in the past, stating that his current focus is ensuring a "demilitarized Gaza" free of weapons and tunnels after the defeat of Hamas. Addressing regional threats, Netany

In a dramatic shift of U.S. policy, President Donald Trump lauded Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa as "highly respected" following a phone call discussing the Syrian Army's offensive against Kurdish forces in the north. Trump expressed satisfaction with the field developments, signaling a departure from years of U.S. support for the Kurdish-led SDF. "Things are going very well," Trump noted, ahead of Al-Sharaa’s critical visit to Moscow. This rapprochement was reinforced by U

In a symbolic move marking the end of a painful chapter, Israel halted the "Hostage Countdown Clock" in Tel Aviv on Tuesday after 844 days of continuous operation. The decision followed the military's recovery of the remains of Ran Gvili, a police officer killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks, who was the last hostage officially accounted for. While the turning off of the clock in "Hostages Square" signifies a closure for many families, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza con

The Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa this Wednesday in Moscow. The working visit aims to discuss the evolving situation in the Middle East and the future of bilateral relations. Since the fall of the Assad regime, Al-Sharaa’s administration has maintained a conciliatory tone toward Moscow, which is eager to secure its strategic naval and air bases in Tartus and Hmeimim. On the ground, Russian forces began a

An Israeli drone strike targeted a civilian vehicle in the town of Doueir, Nabatieh district, killing two 22-year-old men: Lebanese national Samer Hattit and Egyptian national Ahmed Ramadan. According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), the vehicle was struck by three guided missiles on Monday night, causing it to burst into flames. Both victims were civilians working in local family businesses. The attack marks a fresh violation of the hostilities cessation agreement si

Israeli carriers, including El Al, Israir, and Arkia, have announced that passengers may cancel flights due to the "ongoing uncertainty" as regional tensions reach a boiling point. This decision follows moves by international giants like Lufthansa to suspend flights to Tehran and limit Tel Aviv and Amman operations to daytime hours only. The disruption comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East, signaling a significant U.S. military buildup.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has confirmed a strategic agreement to reopen the Rafah Crossing, marking a significant shift in Gaza’s border dynamics. Under the new cabinet-approved plan, a European Union mission, working alongside Palestinian Authority teams, will manage day-to-day operations. Direct Israeli physical inspections will be replaced by remote monitoring and pre-approvals from Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet. The protocol establishes a two-stage p

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has released a harrowing update, confirming that at least 5,520 protesters—including 77 minors—have been killed in Iran since anti-government demonstrations erupted in late December. According to the report, authorities have detained over 41,283 individuals, while another 17,000 cases are still under investigation. This crackdown marks one of the most violent responses to internal dissent in the Islamic Republic's history. The su

According to a detailed Reuters report, a pivotal meeting on January 17, 2026, marked the formal end of the U.S.-SDF alliance. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack reportedly met with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, delivering a blunt message: "America’s interests now lie with Al-Sharaa, not the SDF." This shift positions President Ahmed Al-Sharaa as the preferred partner for the Trump administration. The decision follows the expiration of a one-year deadline fo

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff delivered a wave of optimism at the World Economic Forum in Davos today, declaring that the Russia-Ukraine peace process is entering its final stretch. Speaking before his departure to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin, Witkoff stated, "I think we’ve got it down to one issue. If both sides want to solve this, we’re going to get it solved." The proposed framework reportedly includes a transformative plan to establish Ukraine as a tariff-f

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially accepted President Donald Trump’s invitation on Wednesday to join the newly formed Board of Peace. This strategic body, chaired by Trump, is designed to oversee the post-war transition in Gaza, including demilitarization and a $5-year reconstruction plan. Netanyahu’s acceptance comes despite initial friction over the inclusion of regional rivals like Turkey in the board’s executive committees. The Board of Peace operates un