Levant nation between crisis and resilience
Andrew and Tristan Tate have been arrested by US Marshals in Miami after Britain has brought 38 additional charges, including rape, trafficking and offences involving indecent images. The Crown Prosecution Service has requested their extradition to the UK; the brothers have denied wrongdoing and await extradition proceedings in Florida.
The United States has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran since mid‑July, including attacks on coastal surveillance, air defences and transport links, while Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on US bases and Gulf allies and warned it will retaliate further. The fragile June memorandum to pause the war has largely collapsed and the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted (19 July 2026).
The United States has intensified strikes against Iran to degrade its ability to threaten civilian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missiles and drones against Gulf states and threats to close the strait. The interim US-Iran truce appears increasingly fragile as both sides escalate.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced. The former emir has been credited with turning Qatar into a major LNG exporter, founding Al Jazeera, creating the Qatar Investment Authority and raising the country’s diplomatic profile before abdicating to his son in 2013.
At least nine Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza on Saturday, including three children. An airstrike on a Gaza City apartment building killed five people from the same family, with several others wounded. The toll across Gaza has climbed over 73,000 since October 2023, as civilians continue to flee and ceasefire talks remain at an impasse.
Qatar has announced four days of national mourning after the death of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled from 1995 to 2013 and transformed the small emirate into a major regional power. Crowds and dignitaries have gathered in Lusail for funeral prayers and tributes, while the new emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, receives mourners and foreign leaders.
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war in a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin and has agreed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue negotiations at next week’s NATO summit in Ankara. Ukraine has struck oil and naval facilities near St. Petersburg, and Russia has responded with heavy missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.
Sony has announced it will stop producing physical PlayStation game discs from January 2028. New titles will be sold via the PlayStation Store or as retailer-issued download codes; games releasing before 2028 remain unaffected. The move follows years of rising digital sales and has provoked consumer backlash over ownership, preservation and the second‑hand market.
Vance and Rubio are positioning themselves on Iran and Lebanon as White House and State Department deny any rift. Delegations led by Vance and Rubio have shaped recent talks with Iran, with a fragile ceasefire framework under close U.S. oversight.
Parliament has convened for the first time under a five-year transitional framework after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. The assembly includes appointees by President al-Sharaa and elected members, with debates over representation, a new constitution, and transitional justice shaping the agenda.
Indirect talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan are pressing to implement the Islamabad Memorandum and to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials say progress is being made, with a monitoring channel set to report violations, and discussions on how part of Iran’s frozen assets could be used to purchase needed goods.
The Israeli economy is navigating the strongest shekel in 33 years, weighing on exports and forcing startups to reassess operations. Banks and the government are rolling out measures to support cash flow, while foreign exchange dynamics are reshaping real estate and hiring decisions. The Times of Israel reports multiple developments, including rate cuts, export pain, and a policy response.
French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Damascus to discuss strengthening bilateral relations as Syria seeks reconstruction after years of civil war. He has met Syrian officials and plans to attend a NATO summit in Ankara, highlighting Europe’s interest in re-engaging with Damascus amid regional stability efforts.
Trump has reiterated his push for the United States to control Greenland, in the context of a NATO summit in Turkey. He says Denmark’s reluctance should not block U.S. security goals, and hints at possible U.S. troop realignments in Europe. Zelenskyy and other leaders are seeking clarity on Ukraine’s security assistance amid continuing war and regional tensions.
Lebanese Christian village leaders have rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that some southern Lebanon villages asked to be annexed by Israel. They say the claim is false and aimed at inflaming sectarian tensions. Officials emphasise safety, dignity and loyalty to Lebanon amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah hostilities.
Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies unfold across Mashhad, Tehran and beyond as Iran’s leadership figures gather for a six‑day event. Mojtaba Khamenei remains absent, fueling questions about his health and authority as regional leaders project unity amid ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
The United States is pursuing a coordinated approach to Iran-related talks as Vice President JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio push rival tracks on Middle East diplomacy. The White House is weighing frameworks to end the Iran war while negotiations over Lebanon and Israel shape the final agreement.
President Donald Trump has overridden the NATO agenda at a summit in Ankara by pressing allies to boost defence spending, threatening trade with Spain, and floating withdrawal of US troops from Europe. He has also signalled he will lift sanctions on Turkey and is considering selling F‑35 jets and engines to Ankara, prompting Israeli and European alarm.
Hamas has dissolved its emergency committee and says it will hand Gaza’s administration to a US-backed technocratic National Committee, aiming to demonstrate readiness to implement the ceasefire and advance reconstruction, while disarmament remains unresolved. Negotiations with mediators continue as the board assesses all actions.
Netanyahu has navigated mounting tensions as regional actors and US partners comment on security and diplomacy. He has signaled openness to voluntary emigration discussions, while maintaining a hard line on threats from Iran and Hezbollah. The coming weeks will test alliance politics and Israel’s strategy in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond.
The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes this weekend and on Monday, reversing a recent interim ceasefire and re‑opening doubt over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire "over," ordered further strikes and revoked a temporary oil waiver. Oil has jumped into the high $70s–$80s and global markets have fallen.
Across US politics, support for Israel is waning amid calls to reassess military aid; Democrats and Republicans are rethinking the framework, with prominent voices urging a recalibration of aid and diplomacy.
The United States has signaled the removal of Syria from its designated state sponsors of terrorism, with President Trump telling Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa that barriers to rebuilding will be removed and US investment will follow. Congress will review for 45 days before any change takes effect, and officials say sanctions relief could accelerate Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration, though experts caution structural reforms are still needed.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US strikes on Iran escalate, prompting a renewed naval blockade and Iranian retaliation. Trump says he will replace a 20% fee with trade deals, while Tehran vows to respond to perceived Western interference.
A sequence of bombings in central Damascus has killed and wounded civilians, with authorities announcing arrests of suspects and pledging to pursue those behind the attacks as Macron’s visit to Syria unfolds amid security concerns.
Iran has engaged in talks with Oman and Turkey on Hormuz tensions. Officials report Israel’s strikes on Gaza and Lebanon continue, amid condemnations and calls for accountability. Qatar urges diplomacy as US-Iran tensions persist; Amnesty International accuses Israel of targeting civilians in Lebanon, prompting international scrutiny.
Fadel Shaker has been released on bail after surrendering last October. He is under inquiry for multiple allegations including involvement in the Sidon 2013 clashes, financing armed groups and money laundering. The case remains open as investigations continue.
The conflict between the United States and Iran remains volatile after a string of exchanges in the Gulf. Mediators are pressing to reopen talks, with Qatar and other parties seeking to restore a memorandum of understanding that aims to turn a ceasefire into a lasting peace. Washington says the ceasefire is over, while negotiators insist talks will continue.
The latest developments show Iran vows revenge for the killing of its former leader’s son, while the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as regional powers seek to manage navigation and diplomacy amid ongoing Israeli and American actions.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point as attacks and war-risk costs push ships to avoid the usual traffic lanes, with U.S.-led efforts continuing yet shippers report growing concerns and elevated insurance premiums.
The Strait of Hormuz has seen a sharp drop in vessel traffic as renewed US-Iran actions inflame the region. Iran asserts control over the waterway; Western powers push for free passage. The latest strikes follow attacks on three vessels near Oman, and data shows traffic through the strait has plunged from its pre-conflict normal.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework envisions Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, with Hezbollah disarmament as a precondition. Lebanon’s political divide deepens as tensions rise, roadblocks persist, and concerns of civil strife grow amid daunting regional dynamics.
The ICC oversight body is set to vote on Karim Khan’s fate after allegations of misconduct toward a female aide. Khan has denied wrongdoing; the UK Bar Standards Board and US sanctions have added pressure as the Assembly of States Parties prepares for a special session at the UN on July 24.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US and Iranian forces resume strikes after a fragile ceasefire. Tehran is asserting control over shipping routes, while Washington threatens broader action to safeguard navigation and energy supplies.
The US has pressed Israel to redeploy troops from Syria and Lebanon, amid renewed calls for security zones along borders. Washington has been mediating talks with Lebanon and Syria while Israel maintains a military presence in the region. Trump has urged faster weapons production as the conflict widens.
The Massie amendment to cut off U.S. military aid to Israel has failed 314-104 in the House. More than 100 Democrats backed ending the aid, signaling growing divisions within the party over Israel policy. Leaders are weighing how far to push changes while navigating internal pressure from the left and concerns about national security.
Veteran Moroccan journalist Ali Lmrabet has been released after questioning by Casablanca prosecutors amid ongoing defamation inquiries. He remains under investigation and faces further legal scrutiny as authorities maintain a case linked to comments about individuals and institutions. Separately, rapper Mehdi El Youbi is detained in Casablanca due to posts and political views, signaling a broader crackdown on regime critics connected to a Gen Z protest movement.
The region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks focused on control of the Strait of Hormuz. The collapse of a ceasefire has left no clear end in sight. U.S. airstrikes have targeted Iranian infrastructure while Iran has responded with strikes and ship disruptions; oil prices have surged accordingly.
Vice President Vance has alleged that some figures within the Israeli government are pushing to prolong the war with Iran indefinitely to influence U.S. public opinion. He also condemns leaks and social-media attacks aimed at derailing negotiations and defends the Epstein file release amid broader U.S.-Israel tensions.
Officials say a seized truck carried a weapons cache bound for Hezbollah in Lebanon. The shipment, found at the al-Tanf border crossing, includes long-range missiles, drones and anti-tank weapons. Investigations point to transit through Syria with the aim of arming Hezbollah, while Syria’s new leadership pledges border protection.
Netanyahu has postponed his US trip to end of the month after US senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral is moved to a later date. Netanyahu had hoped to meet President Trump, but no schedule has been set. Graham’s death has prompted discussions amid US-Israel security concerns and Lebanon talks.
The United States has intensified strikes against Iran while signaling it will press Tehran to negotiate. President Trump has warned Iran to “behave” as U.S. forces target northern Iran and renew actions around the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran retaliates with missiles and drones toward Bahrain and Kuwait.
The United States has welcomed a plan to rehabilitate the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline, linking Kirkuk to Syria’s Mediterranean port of Baniyas. A US-led consortium will oversee technical and financial aspects, aiming for an initial capacity of 2 million barrels per day while reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel’s president has spoken of a dream for peace with Saudi Arabia, emphasizing rapprochement and direct talks with U.S. support. In a Riyadh interview and separate comments, he discusses broader regional goals, including potential ties with Lebanon and Syria, and notes concerns about Iran and the Gaza war.
US-backed deals have Iraq seeking long-term investment, with Chevron-backed pipelines and parallel routes to reduce Hormuz dependence. Analysts say regional pipelines could carry a large share of oil by 2028; the question remains when they’ll be viable.
A Gaza City school built entirely of wood is serving around 850 students, with plans to expand to about 2,200. The project, led by the Wefaq Humanitarian Foundation, provides desks, classrooms, and a roof after years of disruption to education amid ongoing conflict.