Middle East Monitor Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa

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  Israeli fire kills 3 more Palestinians in latest Gaza ceasefire violations

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  Three Palestinians, including the son of Gaza Health Ministry Director-General Munir al-Bursh, were killed by Israeli army fire in the enclave on Saturday, as Tel Aviv continues its violations of a truce in place since October 2025, a medical source said. Basir al-Bursh was killed in a strike targeting him in the al-Zahra neighborhood west of the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, the source told Anadolu Agency. Another Palestinian was killed in an Israeli drone strike on the Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City, the source added. A Palestinian girl also died of wounds she sustained earlier from Israeli army fire north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, the source said. READ: Red Cross spokesperson: ‘Death and destruction

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  Sinking the empire: How Western militarism surrendered the arteries of global trade

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  For decades, the architects of foreign policy in Washington and Tel Aviv operated under a remarkably persistent yet fundamentally flawed conviction. They assumed that overwhelming military supremacy could permanently dictate regional architecture and bludgeon sovereign actors into compliance. Yet, a dispassionate reading of history consistently demonstrates that when imperial ambition detaches entirely from political reality, aggressive intervention produces the exact opposite of its intended design. Today, this systemic failure exposes itself across the Middle East’s two most critical maritime arteries. Rather than diminishing the strategic reach of adversaries or safeguarding unhindered global commerce, months of relentless military escalation cemented a deeply uncomfortable reality. Washington’s coercive calculus simultaneously handed control of both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al-Mandeb strait

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  Israel seeks ‘compensation’ from US following Saudi F-35 deal: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  Israel plans to ask for US additional defense capabilities as a “compensation” after Washington agreed to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, according to Israeli media. Tel Aviv will seek to purchase weapons systems that US President Donald Trump’s administration had previously declined to approve, Israeli news website Walla reported on Friday. Israel’s military focus extends beyond advanced fighter jets and next-generation stealth aircraft to space-based weapons and the development and production of interceptor aircraft, the outlet said. Weapons to be demanded by Israeli officials also include “bunker-busting munitions and underground systems capable of operating deep beneath rocky mountains,” it added. READ: Israel, Greece sign €3B defense deal for ‘multi-layered’ air defense network The move is intended to secure a

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  UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  The UN Security Council on Friday condemned attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure that injured civilians, among them women and children, Anadolu reports. Council members noted that their Aug. 7 statement condemned Houthi missile attacks on the kingdom and assaults on commercial vessels. They reiterated their condemnation of attacks and threats against shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, stressing the importance of safeguarding vessels and their crews. The council demanded that the Houthis “immediately cease their military escalation” and attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects. Members expressed grave concern about reports of civilians killed and injured and noted that at least 125,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Richard Boyd Barrett: Trump: We have reached a pivotal turning point. Is war coming?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  WATCH:Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Richard Dalton: The Houthis are on the March and Chaos Grips the Gulf

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  US bases in Middle East suffer severe damage from Iranian attacks: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  US military bases in the Middle East have sustained heavy damage from Iranian strikes, according to photos and videos obtained by ABC News, as the Pentagon assesses the toll of a war Washington launched more than six months ago, Anadolu reports. The report said the images show damaged buildings and an aircraft at three bases in Kuwait and a Saudi base hosting US assets, some of which were evacuated. One photo appears to show an E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft, valued at $270 million, damaged in late March at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the report noted. “These bases have been irreparably damaged. And if we choose to rebuild them, it’s going to be a decades-long undertaking,” said a

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  Syria, Russia review implementation of memorandum on Russian presence in Latakia

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani toured Latakia International Airport on Friday and met Russian officials to review the implementation of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries concerning Russian presence on Syria’s coast, Anadolu reports. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that al-Shaibani was accompanied by Chief of the General Staff Maj. Gen. Ali al-Naasan, Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Asim Hawari, Naval Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Saud and Military Intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Hamza al-Hamidi. It said al-Shaibani met with several Russian officials “to follow up on procedures for implementing the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides and review progress on the agreed implementation steps.” The statement did not identify the Russian officials or

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  Saudi Aramco cancels October crude allocations to European refiners: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  Saudi Aramco informed at least two European refining customers that they will receive no crude oil in October following an attack on the kingdom’s key pipeline to the Red Sea, Bloomberg reported Friday. The decision applies to all European buyers, said the report, citing those familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because the information is not public. European refiners typically receive Saudi crude under term contracts that provide regular monthly supplies. Saudi Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside normal business hours, according to the report. Saudi Arabia shut its East-West pipeline last week after the facility was targeted by drones. The pipeline is expected to resume partial operations within days and return to

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  Pentagon tells Congress Iran operations have cost $43.6B: Reports

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  The US Department of Defense told congressional defense committees that military operations against Iran had cost an estimated $43.6 billion through Sept. 3, according to media reports Friday. Citing a new assessment from US Central Command (CENTCOM) reviewed by congressional officials, the reports indicated a significant increase from the Pentagon’s previous public estimate of $37.5 billion. According to the CENTCOM assessment, the total includes $11.2 billion in incremental operational costs already obligated by the Pentagon, an estimated $28.1 billion to replace munitions used during the conflict and $4.3 billion to replace military equipment lost in operations. READ: Trump says Iran seeking deal as US considers next move The new cost estimate comes as questions have also emerged over the human toll

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  Gaza refugee committee alarmed over service, staff cut in UN agency for Palestinian refugees

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  A refugee committee in the Gaza Strip warned Friday that cuts and restructuring by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) could undermine essential services, Anadolu reports. It urged an end to measures affecting refugees and staff. The Joint Refugee Committee said in a statement that it is following “with deep concern” recent developments within UNRWA, including staff terminations and cuts affecting employees and programs. It said the measures involve the agency’s Microfinance and Development Department. “The financial crisis facing UNRWA must not be turned into a crisis of services and rights for which employees and Palestinian refugees pay the price,” said the committee. It warned that continued restructuring and reductions without transparency or consultation with representatives of employees and

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  Trump bans CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  US President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is banning cable news networks CNN and MS NOW and website Politico from the White House, accusing the major outlets of reporting “fake news” about his administration, Anadolu reports. “I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico … from the White House as a result of their constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS!” Trump said in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump alleged Politico had received “an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription” from the US Government, under previous President Joe Biden, in order to keep

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  US warns allies of weapons delivery delays due to stocks depleted by Iran war: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  The US has warned its allies to expect delays of up to five years in deliveries of key weapons as Washington works to replenish munitions stocks depleted during its war with Iran, Bloomberg reported Friday. Several European countries are facing delays in receiving missile and air defense systems, while Germany has asked Washington to accelerate deliveries of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon launchers. However, shortages of the weapons mean Raytheon, a unit of the RTX Corp., may not be able to fulfill the order within five years, according to the report. The shortages are also affecting Ukraine, which has sought additional Patriot air defense interceptors ahead of an expected difficult winter. President Donald Trump has said Washington was discussing either

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  From war to statehood: A roadmap to ending the Yemeni conflict

  by Mehdi Editor on September 19, 2026

  The Yemeni crisis is no longer simply a war between two sides, nor merely a political dispute that can be resolved through the signing of a temporary agreement. More than a decade of conflict has left behind a fragmented state, a devastated economy, weakened institutions, and a society bearing the heavy cost of a conflict that ordinary citizens can no longer endure. Today, as military risks re-emerge and the possibility of escalation grows, the question becomes increasingly urgent: How can Yemen move from a country governed by the language of weapons to one governed by the language of the state? The United Nations has warned in September 2026 of the risk of a return to widespread fighting and has called

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  6 Palestinians injured, farmers detained in Israeli occupier attacks across West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  Six Palestinians were injured and several farmers detained on Friday in separate attacks by Israeli occupiers across the occupied West Bank, according to local sources and a Palestinian rights group. Local sources told Anadolu Agency that occupiers attacked the Palestinian vehicle with stones near the village entrance, causing it to overturn and injuring five young men inside. The injured were taken to a hospital for treatment, they added. In a separate incident, the Al-Baidar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights said Israeli occupiers accompanied by Israeli forces detained several Palestinian farmers as they attempted to reach their land in Halhul town in the southern Hebron governorate. The organization said the detentions came amid continued Israeli restrictions on farmers and

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  Italian aircraft hit in attack on Saudi Arabian air base

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  An Italian aircraft was hit during attacks on an air base in Saudi Arabia, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday, Anadolu reports. Crosetto said Saudi Arabia’s Ta’if air base, where Italian personnel are present as part of the anti-ISIS (Daesh) Operation Inherent Resolve, “was the target of several attacks,” according to Italy’s ANSA news agency. “During the attack, an Italian F-2000 aircraft was hit. It was inside the base, in a remote area. There is no other damage to vehicles or infrastructure used by our personnel,” Crosetto said, adding that no personnel were harmed. He said he asked to be provided with updates on the situation, the condition of their personnel, and possible operational options. Crosetto added that he had

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  Israeli army sets fire to government hospital in southern Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  The Israeli army set fire to a government hospital in southern Lebanon on Friday, the country’s state-run National News Agency reported. The agency said Israeli forces ignited the government hospital in the town of Mays al-Jabal in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon. The agency did not immediately provide information on the extent of the damage or whether there were casualties. Separately, the agency reported movements by Israeli military vehicles inside the town of Al-Mansouri in the Tyre district. Israeli forces also carried out an explosion in the town of Al-Bayyadah, while artillery shelling targeted Al-Mansouri, it reported. The Israeli army has not immediately commented on the reports. READ: Israeli attacks damage 22.5% of agricultural land in southern Lebanon The attacks come in spite

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  Trump says Iran seeking deal as US considers next move

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  US President Donald Trump says Iran is seeking an agreement with the United States as he considers whether to take additional military action against the country, Anadolu reports. In a phone interview with NewsNation, Trump was questioned about his recent remarks that he was weighing whether to “annihilate” Iran. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump said. Asked what he expects Iran to do before he makes a decision, Trump said Tehran is interested in reaching a deal. READ: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reject Trump’s claim of US control over Strait of Hormuz “Right now, they want to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that he believes Iran is “losing in every way” both financially and militarily. “If the deal’s not a correct deal,

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  Sudanese army says it killed RSF fighters, destroyed 9 vehicles in Blue Nile

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  The Sudanese army said Friday that it carried out a “well-planned” preemptive attack south of the Al-Keili area in southeastern Blue Nile state, killing a number of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters and destroying nine combat vehicles along with their equipment, Anadolu reports. Sudan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the armed forces and allied units carried out the operation “based on precise intelligence.” “The swift operation inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, including the destruction of nine combat vehicles with all their equipment and the elimination of a number of Rapid Support Forces militia mercenaries,” the ministry said. It added that the operation had destroyed the force’s main combat capability and left the RSF presence in the area

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  Syria arrests 5 Assad-era air force officers over attacks on populated areas

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  Syrian security forces arrested five senior air force officers and commanders who served under the deposed Bashar al-Assad regime over involvement in airstrikes on populated areas, the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA reported Friday. Col. Abdul Aal Mohammad Abdul Aal, head of Internal Security in the coastal Tartous province, said specialized units, in cooperation with the Anti-Terrorism Directorate, carried out a series of security operations that led to the arrests. Abdul Aal said the detainees included pilots, field commanders and officers who served in operations rooms under the former regime. Those detained were identified as Maj. Gen. Mohammad Fajr Ali, Brig. Gen. pilot Abdullah Ali Mualla, Col. pilot Nidal Hussein Saleh, Col. Mohammad Ali Salim and Lt. Col. pilot Talib

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  Red Cross spokesperson: ‘Death and destruction for Palestinians in Gaza continues every day’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  Death and destruction continue to affect Palestinians in Gaza every day despite a decrease in the intensity of hostilities since last year’s ceasefire, according to Pat Griffiths, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). “Let’s be clear: death and destruction for Palestinians in Gaza continues every day. The suffering is real, present and here every day – even when Gaza isn’t in the headlines,” Griffiths told Anadolu Agency. “Life for Palestinians here is disrupted in ways that are hard to imagine. Children go without education. People go without access to specialist or chronic medical care. Families have lost homes, livelihoods – many are still missing loved ones, not knowing if they are detained or deceased,” he

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  Philippines expresses ‘deep concern’ over Israeli illegal settlements in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  The Philippines has expressed “deep concern” over Israeli illegal settlements in the West Bank and urged “all parties” to “desist from unilateral actions that erode the conditions for peace,” Anadolu reports. The Philippine Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that Manila “notes with alarm” Israel’s efforts to advance the E1 settlement plan, as well as the continued rise in settler violence in the West Bank. Israeli authorities plan to open tenders on Oct. 25 for 2,167 settlement units under the E1 project, in addition to 1,234 units included in a separate tender issued in August, bringing the total to 3,401 units. The project is located east of Jerusalem and aims to connect the Maale Adumim settlement with occupied Jerusalem through

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  Israeli army faces severe troop shortage, prepares to halt leave: Israeli media

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  The Israeli army is facing a “severe shortage” of troops and military equipment after three years of war and is preparing to suspend soldiers’ leave, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported Friday. “As a result of the severe shortage in the number of soldiers in the Israeli army, it is prepared to violate their basic rights and deny them leave,” the newspaper said. Despite the personnel shortage, Maariv noted the dismissal of Lt. Col. A., who served as the Gaza Division’s intelligence officer in October 2023, because he “bore command responsibility by virtue of his position.” “The Israeli army does not have enough tanks and armored personnel carriers,” Maariv said, adding that three years of war had worn down the vehicles and

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  Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition holds 4th planning meeting in Saudi Arabia

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition on Thursday held its 4th planning meeting in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Defense Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. The meeting in Jeddah was part of the coalition’s “ongoing transition from the founding stage to the actual operational stage, having reached Initial Operational Capability,” the ministry said in a statement on US social media platform X. It was attended by the representatives of “41 brotherly and friendly countries,” the officials stated, adding that EU representatives also took part. The coalition is a 14-country military alliance formed in July to ensure that vital waterways surrounding the Arabian Peninsula – the Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Red Sea – remain open to international traffic. READ: US State

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  Poll shows 48% of Israelis prefer Eisenkot as premier, compared with 40% for Netanyahu

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  Some 48% of Israelis would prefer Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot as prime minister, compared with 40% for incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu if Knesset elections were held now, according to a poll published Friday, Anadolu reports. The survey, published by the Israeli daily Maariv, showed Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu in a direct prime minister preference matchup. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also led Netanyahu by 44% to 41%, while Netanyahu was ahead of Avigdor Lieberman by 42% to 38%, according to the poll. The survey was conducted by Lazar Research and Panel4All on Sept. 16-17 among 4,089 respondents, with a maximum margin of error of 4 percentage points. According to the results, Netanyahu’s governing coalition would secure 50 seats if Knesset

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  Strait of Hormuz disruptions lead to worst threat to global trade in 80 years: WTO chief

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  Global trade is facing its worst disruption in 80 years as supply chain bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz threaten global food and fertilizer prices, the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) director-general warned, Anadolu reports. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, speaking on the sidelines of the WTO’s Public Forum in Geneva, told Anadolu that the global trading system remains resilient, but the ongoing Middle East conflict presents a major test for the organization’s 166 member countries. She noted that global trade in goods grew by an unexpectedly strong 4.6% this year despite geopolitical pressures, while 72% of all global commerce continued to operate under WTO rules. The initial projection for overall goods trade growth was 1.9% for the entire year, but the first-quarter growth

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  Turkiye cracks down on Israel-linked int’l fraud network, detains 175 suspects

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  Turkiye on Friday launched simultaneous operations against an Israel-linked international fraud network accused of defrauding foreign nationals through fake forex and cryptocurrency investment schemes, Anadolu reports. Authorities detained 175 of 239 suspects in raids at 286 addresses in Istanbul and the western province of Mugla, Turkiye’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said. Four separate investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in 2026 uncovered evidence that some companies operating as call centers had used social media and the internet to advertise forex and cryptocurrency investments, promising high returns to foreign nationals, Gurlek said on US social media company X. The investigation was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office’s Bureau for Investigating Terror Financing and Money Laundering Crimes,

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  Israeli forces shell outskirts of Beit Jinn, launch incursion into southern Syria with 9 military vehicles

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  The Israeli army shelled the outskirts of Beit Jinn in the western Damascus countryside on Friday after launching an incursion into southern Syria with nine military vehicles and detaining a shepherd in Daraa province, Syrian state media reported. Israeli forces carried out artillery shelling on the outskirts of Beit Jinn in the western Damascus countryside, Alikhbariah TV said. The broadcaster did not report the outcome of the shelling, and there was no immediate comment from the Syrian government, which has previously demanded an end to Israeli violations. In an earlier development, Israeli military vehicles entered the Wadi al-Raqad area, Syria’s Al-Ikhbariya television reported, without providing further details about the nature of their movements. READ: Israel poses ‘greatest threat’ to regional stability,

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  Rights group names 4,219 killed in Iran protests, a tenth of figures cited before US-Israeli war

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) has published the names of 4,219 people killed during Iran’s December 2025–January 2026 protests. The report documents details of the crackdown in which state forces fired live ammunition into crowds, reportedly shot people from behind as they fled and killed bystanders who were taking no part in the demonstrations. Titled The January 2026 Protest Killings in Iran, the report describes the killings as one of the most extensive massacres of protesters in Iran’s contemporary history. IHRNGO says its count is “an absolute minimum”. Iran protests: The tipping point that wasn’t The protests began on 28 December 2025 in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over economic conditions and spread across the country as anti-government demonstrations. They peaked on

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  South Korea’s president rules out combat troop dispatch over Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ruled out deploying combat troops in response to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying South Korea would not send military personnel in a manner that could draw it into an overseas conflict, Anadolu reports. “Let it be clear. There will be no dispatch of troops that will lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no engagement or involvement in war,” he told a televised press conference Friday, according to Yonhap News Agency. Lee stressed that Seoul would maintain its principle of staying out of combat even as it considers measures to protect South Korean interests around the strategic waterway. “There will not be a dispatching of troops for involvement or

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  Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology must investigate, and end, its Israel exchange link

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  This week, a screenshot began moving fast across Indonesian social media. It came from an Instagram account called Ganesa Space, and it showed something students did not expect to see. The image was a page from the online exchange system used by Bandung Institute of Technology, known in Indonesia as ITB. ITB is one of the most respected universities in the country. Many Indonesian engineers, scientists, and leaders studied there. What that screenshot revealed is not a small glitch to be quietly fixed. It is a question that ITB must answer in public, and a link that ITB must cut for good. In the screenshot, a dropdown menu on the exchange form lists “Israel” as a country. Next to it,

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  Turkiye: From energy corridor to regional network power

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  When Azerbaijani gas crosses Türkiye to reach Syrian power plants, Iraqi oil flows through Turkish territory towards the Mediterranean, and Iraq’s electricity grid connects to Turkish transmission lines, Ankara is no longer merely hosting a collection of transit routes. Türkiye is increasingly positioning itself at the centre of an energy network linking producers and consumers across the Caucasus, the Middle East and Europe. The distinction matters. A transit state benefits from energy passing through its territory; a trading hub facilitates exchange, resale and market services. Network power, however, emerges when several forms of infrastructure — gas, oil and electricity — simultaneously connect other countries to a pivotal state. Türkiye’s energy strategy should therefore be understood as a three-stage transition: from

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  Jewish terrorism threatens Israel’s survival, security think tank warns

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Israel’s leading security think tank has warned that Jewish terrorism now threatens the state’s survival, and that the absence of any decisive response to the surge in attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank shows it is “a policy directed from above”. In a strategic alert published this week, the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) said: “Jewish terrorism has evolved from a local enforcement problem into a distinct strategic threat to the State of Israel and its democratic character.” It added: “The lack of a decisive Israeli response to this phenomenon constitutes evidence that it is a policy directed from above.” Read: Israeli army leaders warn of ‘West Bank eruption’ over settler attacks In a stark

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Richard Dalton: The Houthis are on the March and Chaos Grips the Gulf

  by Mehdi Editor on September 18, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Gary Samore: Was the War on Iran Inevitable or an Israeli Deception?

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  How the Houthis outmaneuvered Washington and Riyadh

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  When international headlines report on the crisis in the Southern Red Sea, the commentary almost reflexively defaults to a comforting, familiar trope that Iran has once again pulled the strings of its regional proxies. This simplistic script casts the Houthis as mere instruments of Tehran’s geopolitical ambition. Yet the military realignments near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, coupled with quiet diplomatic exchanges in Muscat, expose the profound flaw in this conventional view. Far from acting as a passive extension of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Houthis operate as an autonomous, self-directed political and military force with their own distinct regional agenda. Recent satellite imagery reveals the Houthis constructing miles of defensive earthen berms along the Lahij Governorate in southern Yemen,

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  US court sentences former Syrian prison chief to 60 years for torture and fraud

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  A US federal court has sentenced Samir Othman al-Sheikh, the former director of Adra Prison in Syria, to 60 years in prison for torturing detainees in Syria and committing immigration fraud. A jury convicted al-Sheikh on three main charges. The first involved systematic torture of detainees, the second involved conspiracy to carry out acts of torture, while the third was related to fraud in immigration documents, attempting to obtain US citizenship through illegal means and concealing his criminal past from US authorities. Prosecutors at a Los Angeles court had asked for a prison sentence of at least 80 years. The ruling sends a clear legal and moral message that perpetrators of crimes against humanity will find no safe haven and

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  Israel moves towards dialogue with Austrian party founded by former Nazis

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Israel is moving towards opening a dialogue with Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO), founded by former Nazis, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Thursday, according to Haaretz. Saar said Israel wanted a “substantive, open and frank dialogue” with the party, which has increasingly adopted a pro-Israel stance in recent years. On Wednesday, party leader Herbert Kickl condemned the 7 October attack and apologised “directly to Jews for Austria’s role in the Holocaust”, while seeking to establish a new relationship with Jewish communities. Kickl made the remarks in a speech at a conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg attended by representatives of Israel’s Likud party and other European right-wing parties. The gathering focused on antisemitism and Islamism and reflected the

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  Pakistan: Time to intervene to protect Saudi Arabia

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said the time has come to implement the Mecca Defence Agreement, amid escalating attacks by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group towards Saudi Arabia and concerns that the conflict could spread to new fronts in the region. Speaking to Pakistan’s Geo News TV, Asif said his country’s commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia and its holy sites remains in place, stressing that it is based on a moral and religious duty and does not depend on whether there is a formal agreement. The Pakistani defence minister said Islamabad remains committed to its obligations towards Saudi Arabia, adding that protecting Saudi territory and Islamic holy sites is a permanent responsibility for Pakistan. His remarks come amid growing

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  Russia, China veto US resolution on Iran sanctions

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Russia and China have vetoed a US-drafted UN Security Council resolution that would have extended for one year the mandate of the UN panel monitoring sanctions on Iran. The vote came amid rising tensions over Iran, highlighting continued disagreements between Washington, Moscow and Beijing at the Security Council over how to deal with Iran and the sanctions imposed on it. The sanctions regime, which remains in force, includes measures such as freezing Iranian assets abroad, restricting arms-related transactions and prohibiting activities linked to Iran’s ballistic missile programme. The sanctions were reimposed in September 2025 after France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered the so-called “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 nuclear agreement, restoring six earlier Security Council resolutions targeting Iran’s nuclear

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  CBS news: At least two US drones shot down by Iranian forces

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  At least two US military drones have been shot down by Iranian forces during recent attacks in the Middle East, CBS News reported, citing unnamed US officials. According to the network, the aircraft were identified as belonging to the MQ-1 family of unmanned aerial vehicles, although the specific model involved was not immediately clear. The officials also did not disclose where in the Middle East the two drones were downed or provide further details about the circumstances surrounding their loss. Different variants of US unmanned aircraft vary significantly in cost and capability. The older MQ-1 Predator has been valued at around $4 million per aircraft, while variants of the Gray Eagle system can cost considerably more. The reported losses come

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  Sudanese army says it has taken control of 11 areas in north Kordofan

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  The Sudanese army said on Thursday that it had taken control of 11 areas in North Kordofan state following fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In a statement, the army identified the areas as Kajmar, Sharshar, Al-Buniya Al-Kariniya, Al-Qulai’at, Awlad Hazma, Maqouldat, Rishan, Al-Qa’a, Ghabat Al-Laqad, Al-Kukaiti, and the area surrounding Al-Mazroub. The military said the advances followed intense fighting with the RSF and claimed to have inflicted significant losses on the paramilitary force before pursuing its fighters westward toward the outskirts of Darfur. The army also said it had conducted extensive operations in areas west of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. It said military operations would continue as part of its campaign to restore government

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  UN General Assembly backs Palestinian participation; Abbas to address session by video

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a resolution Thursday calling on the US to immediately reverse its decision preventing the Palestinian delegation from participating in person in the 81st session, according to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Anadolu Agency reported. The ministry said 152 countries voted in favour of the resolution, describing the US decision as a clear violation of the UN Headquarters Agreement. It said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would deliver his address to the General Assembly by video at the scheduled date and time. The ministry thanked countries that sponsored and supported the resolution, saying the vote represented a rejection of attempts to prevent Palestine from taking part in the General Assembly. Washington earlier Thursday extended visa restrictions on

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  Italy to deploy navy to protect Italian shipping through Bab al-Mandab Strait

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Italy will deploy naval forces to help ensure the safe passage of Italian vessels through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday, amid heightened security concerns linked to renewed fighting in Yemen. Speaking at a maritime forum, Crosetto said escalating clashes along Yemen’s western coast were disrupting navigation through Bab al-Mandab, a strategically important waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The defence minister said the renewed security concerns in Bab al-Mandab were adding to disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz and increasing the economic impact of wider regional tensions. Crosetto said that, in coordination with Italy’s Chief of the Defence Staff, he had decided to mobilize the Italian Navy and take measures

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  US grants visas to Iranian delegation for UN General Assembly meetings in New York

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  The United States has approved visas for members of Iran’s official delegation to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, despite the continuing conflict between the two countries, according to reports on Thursday. A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that Washington would allow Iran’s principal delegation to participate in next week’s General Assembly proceedings, citing the United States’ international obligations as host country of the UN headquarters. “In accordance with our international obligations, the main Iranian delegation will be able to participate in the UN General Assembly proceedings,” the spokesperson said. Members of the Iranian delegation will, however, face restrictions on their movements and spending while in the United States, according to the State Department. The

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  Macklemore announces $1 million donation to Palestinian relief groups amid tour dispute

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  US rapper Macklemore has announced a $1 million donation to Palestinian relief organizations, amid controversy over his removal from the lineup of British singer Ed Sheeran’s US tour. In a post on X, Macklemore said the money would come from proceeds connected to his planned participation in the tour and described the donation as an expression of solidarity with Palestinians. The rapper said Palestinian lives were “no less valuable than anyone else’s” and described support for Palestinians living under occupation and seeking greater freedom as a humanitarian issue. Macklemore also called on US billionaire and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to make a similar contribution. The announcement follows a dispute over Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour lineup. According to

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  Egypt says Gaza deal must be implemented, Israel is obstructing it

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Egypt has stressed the need for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, saying Israel is obstructing its provisions, particularly the entry of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made the remarks on Thursday at a joint press conference with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel after talks at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Cairo, the state news agency reported. Abdelatty said the talks covered the Palestinian issue and that the two sides agreed on the “great importance” of implementing US President Donald Trump’s plan, delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and securing an Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. He said Israel was obstructing the full implementation of Trump’s plan,

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  Morocco: Benkirane reiterates opposition to normalisation with Israel

  by Marwa A on September 18, 2026

  Moroccan Justice and Development Party Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane has reiterated his opposition to normalising relations with Israel, amid reports that Morocco and Israel are considering upgrading their diplomatic representation. The party’s general secretariat issued the statement on Thursday after an urgent meeting held remotely to discuss the reports. The party said it remains opposed to normalisation and all relations and agreements with Israel, referring to previous statements and its election programme. Benkirane called on party members and activists not to engage with reports circulating inside and outside Morocco about the possible diplomatic upgrade, urging them instead to focus on the election campaign and promoting the party’s positions and programme. The party said its priorities should include citizens’ concerns, combating corruption

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  Israel poses ‘greatest threat’ to regional stability, Syria warns UN Security Council

  by Mehdi Editor on September 17, 2026

  Israel represents the greatest danger to stability in the Middle East, Syria warned the UN Security Council on Thursday, Anadolu reports. Permanent Representative to the UN Ibrahim Olabi told council members that Israeli aggression constitutes “the greatest threat facing the stability of the entire region, not just Syria,” pointing to an emergency declaration by 44 nations outside the council chamber that condemned a high-level visit by Israeli leadership to Mount Hermon as an unlawful act and a “blatant violation” of international law. He emphasized that while Damascus approached US-sponsored security talks in good faith, Israel “responded to dialogue with airstrikes, incursions, and violations and attacks.” He underscored that pursuing a diplomatic arrangement does not mean Damascus will “accept occupation or

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  From Tantura to Gaza: History was not falsified, nor was testimony silenced

  by Mehdi Editor on September 17, 2026

  The Israeli documentary Naza attracted considerable international media and political attention after winning the Venice Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize, despite not yet having reached the wider public. Following its screening at the festival, the film received a 25-minute standing ovation, an unusual occurrence at such events. The film runs for 80 minutes. Its Hebrew title, Naza, means “collateral damage” that is, the number of civilians expected to be killed or injured when a particular military strike is carried out. The documentary examines the system used to select targets, including the reliance on artificial intelligence during bombing operations in Gaza, and explains the mechanism by which the number of civilians expected to be killed or injured as a result of

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  Weapons stolen from Israeli army warehouses flowing to criminal groups: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 17, 2026

  Weapons and ammunition stolen from Israeli army warehouses during the war in the Gaza Strip have made their way to criminal organizations, including LAW anti-tank rockets, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported Thursday. It said the military may not know the full quantity of weapons and ammunition stolen from warehouses and now circulating outside its control. Two incidents involving LAW rockets were recorded this week in the Arab towns of Sajur and Jaljulia, it said. KAN said the nature of recent incidents and falling black-market weapons prices suggest that arms were stolen on a “massive scale” after emergency unit warehouses were opened during the war. It added that missing ammunition can be recorded as having been used in combat, making it

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  Jordan, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts to end regional escalation

  by Mehdi Editor on September 17, 2026

  Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, discussed efforts Thursday to end regional escalation and restore calm, as Amman reiterated its condemnation of attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, Anadolu reports. The talks came during a call between the two ministers, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry. Safadi affirmed Jordan’s “absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all steps it takes to protect its security, stability and the safety of its citizens and residents.” The call addressed regional developments and efforts aimed at ending the escalation and restoring calm. On relations, they discussed ways to strengthen ties between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and affirmed continued efforts to develop cooperation in various fields. Safadi also condemned