MENA conflict tracker

Suwayda’s break from Damascus marks a major shift. After Assad’s fall and Muhammad al-Sharaa’s failure to assert control through HTS-backed Druze militias, the community has chosen self-rule—rejecting both jihadist influence and external power.

It’s a question worth asking. In Western democracies where people are free to protest without fear, widespread silence on Hamas suggests a deeper ideological or communal alignment—not just fear or ignorance. Understanding that dynamic is essential to grasping the broader conflict

Meloni's stance reflects a growing recognition that symbolic recognition of a Palestinian state - absent borders, governance, or peace agreements - only undermines the very outcome it claims to support. Statehood without negotiations rewards intransigence and sets peace back.

This isn’t the first time an image has been weaponized to push a narrative. The photo of Mohammed al-Matouq has gone viral as proof of ‘famine,’ but closer scrutiny shows it’s being used out of context - another case where emotional impact trumps accuracy.

Hamas is a case study in why Arab states like Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE outlaw Islamist groups: because they’ve seen firsthand how radical ideology devours its host. When political Islamists gain power, prosperity dies and suffering spreads, and Gaza is just the latest victim.

This isn’t about negotiations—it’s about control. While Israel, the U.S. and Egypt push for a ceasefire, Hamas stalls, calculating how much more blood can be leveraged for political gain. The group claiming to defend Palestinians is the one prolonging their suffering.

This threat is more than sectarian hate - it’s a declaration of religious war. By equating the Druze with Jews, the speaker reveals the motive: not land, but the same Islamist vision that targets Israel is now turning on the Druze, using religious language to justify genocide.

While Druze and Christians are being slaughtered in Syria, it’s Jolani’s jihadists leading the charge—with horrifying impunity. The victims aren’t just forgotten—they’re abandoned, as Islamist groups fill the power vacuum and wage religious war with little global outcry.

The resignation of all three members of the UN’s anti-Israel inquiry follows years of documented bias and growing international pressure—now catalyzed by U.S. sanctions on Francesca Albanese.

If true, this signals a major shift: Syria quietly pivoting toward Israel to secure its regime, even at the cost of Golan claims. Iran’s weakening grip is forcing old enemies to reconsider survival over ideology.

Across the ME, the Muslim Brotherhood is banned for inciting extremism and destabilizing governments and is classified as a terrorist group. Yet in the U.S., it’s still treated like a legitimate political movement. That disconnect says more about Washington than it does about it.

The MV Matthew cocaine bust shows how Iran and Hezbollah use global crime networks to fund their operations. With help from the Kinahan cartel, they brought terror-linked narcotics into Europe—until Irish forces intercepted them. Iran’s reach is global, and so is the threat.

This defiant speech from a bunker shows Hezbollah’s dilemma—loud rhetoric masking strategic insecurity. The vow not to disarm is more a message to internal critics than to Israel. As Hezbollah suffers repeated blows and loses regional support, its threats sound less intimidating.

U.S. strikes exposed the regime’s vulnerability, pushing hardliners to double down on nuclear deterrence. This isn’t a new conclusion—it’s the regime’s long-standing calculus, but growing instability and military setbacks are making it more urgent than ever.

This cooperation isn’t surprising—Saudi Arabia and other regional players discreetly helped intercept Iranian drones during previous attacks too. What’s notable is how open the acknowledgment is becoming. As Iran loses prestige,more countries move toward normalization with Israel

If true, such a meeting would mark a huge geopolitical shift. Unlikely alignment, due to a shared interest in curbing Iran and Hezbollah, but the claim that Damascus would concede the Golan Heights seems far-fetched—more likely some early-stage signaling than a serious concession

The Abu Zayed family’s public vow of revenge marks a major shift. When large, influential clans in Gaza turn openly against Hamas, it signals growing cracks in the group’s control. This isn’t just personal—it’s political.

This massacre at St. Elias Church in Damascus is another horrifying reminder that Christians in the Middle East remain gravely at risk. Killed while at prayer, these victims were targeted for their faith. Christians facing persecution, is part of a broader, often-ignored crisis.

This isn’t just a violation of terms; it’s a message. Tehran is testing the resolve of its adversaries and showing it won’t be bound by diplomacy when it sees an opportunity for escalation. The question now is how far Israel—or its allies—will let this go unanswered.

Fordow's hardened facility near Qom was enriching uranium to 60% using advanced centrifuges, placing Iran just a short technical step from weapons-grade. Built to withstand airstrikes and hidden from the world until 2009, Fordow crossed every red line.