Beyond the Headlines
Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world
How cheap weapons are changing the balance of military power
US-Iran conflict has exposed growing challenges of dealing with drones, dwindling stockpiles and rising cost of defence
What do the Houthis stand to gain by escalating now?
Iran-backed group has opened several fronts with attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, Yemeni government forces and Saudi targets
How Palestine's economy has been pushed to the brink
From suspended work permits to frozen tax revenue, Israeli policies are reshaping daily life across Gaza and the occupied West Bank
![A damaged car and a damaged building are seen at the site of a strike in Bartalla in the northern Iraqi Nineveh province on July 29, 2026. US-Saudi strikes on Iraq on July 29 killed at least 20 members of a former paramilitary alliance that includes pro-Iran groups, the alliance said. The United States and Saudi Arabia said they had struck Iran-backed militants in Iraq in response to attacks on US forces and Saudi oil facilities. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP) / Attention editors: AFP covers the war in the Middle East through its extensive regional network, including bureaus in Tehran, Jerusalem and several neighboring countries. Since the start of the conflict, journalists have been working under increasingly restrictive conditions. Authorities in several countries have limited reporters’ movements, photo and live video coverage from sensitive locations. Some governments and armed groups have banned images of missile or drone strikes and other security-related sites. / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Ziad OBEID has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: corrects byline [Zaid AL-OBEIDI] instead of [Ziad OBEID]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. ”](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/PLSC2TSQZTFNYGSCPBJVUPIB2I.jpg?smart=true&auth=b0d3bd2d2b21bfcd8f9d5a89db763ef91727ee31e46f2bd5651027a66d97a8f5&width=299&height=167)
What the US-Saudi strikes on militias in Iraq reveal about the wider war
We look at how Saudi Arabia's escalation fits into the broader trajectory of the US-Iran war
Can Lebanon find a winning formula in peace talks with Israel?
High-profile diplomatic visit to Washington yields promising wins but reality on the ground remains dire
Why was the US-Iran agreement not enough to end the war?
Truce agreed on June 17 appears dead in the water as retaliatory attacks intensify
What’s at stake in the battle for foreign influence in Syria?
Nation under President Ahmad Al Shara is coming under growing pressure to play an evolving security role in the region
Why are ceasefires not ceasing the fire?
From Gaza to Lebanon and Iran, a pattern of continued attacks is compromising the credibility of peace deals
What's driving Iraq’s anti-corruption crackdown?
New prime minister's mission to tackle graft in Baghdad’s political system is put to the test
Wins and losses of the Iran war
Washington’s agreement with Tehran follows major political and economic gambles by both sides
Are the US and Israel still fighting the same war?
The conflict with Iran is at a critical point - as is the relationship between the countries that started it
The limits of soft power: America’s war and its World Cup
US conflict with Iran threatens to overshadow tournament with concerns over safety, politics and costs
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