Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran and Gaza conflicts https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1671647

Earlier this year, Syria saw clashes between government forces and armed groups. A new report by the Reuters news agency says some 1,500 people from the Alawite sect were killed at the time, and dozens remain missing. Were there systematic mass killings, and who was responsible? https://www.dw.com/en/report-nearly-1500-alawites-killed-in-syria-in-march/video-73218030

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Wednesday that Azerbaijan's SOCAR could become a partner in Turkey's plans to provide Syria with natural gas, adding that Ankara hoped to start the provision soon. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/turkish-energy-minister-says-socar-may-become-partner-providing-gas-syria-2025-07-09/

BREAKING: Israel UNVEILS Gaza Humanitarian City, Voluntary Emigration Plans | Q&A | TBN Israel

Russia launches massive drone attack on Ukraine, officials say

United States authorities have been warning of potential state-linked or hacktivist threats since the U.S. intervened in the Israel-Iran war. https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/iranian-hackers-us-transportation-manufacturing-israel-nozomi/752612/

On 8 July 2025, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. https://www.specialeurasia.com/2025/07/09/iran-saudi-arabia-meeting/

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/09/g-s1-76389/damascus-syria-bar

Russia launches record drone attack on Ukraine after Trump criticizes Putin

The report said that Barrack would hold this meeting with Sharaa soon, following recent meetings in Lebanon that focused on Hezbollah. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-860476

From Gaza and Israel to Russia and Ukraine, any meaningful ceasefire must confront digitally enabled operations, Brett Solomon and Betsy Popken write. https://techpolicy.press/for-true-peace-ceasefires-must-address-digital-warfare-too

Thousands of Syrian refugees are set to return from Lebanon this week under the first, U.N.-backed plan providing financial incentives, after Syria's new rulers said all citizens were welcome home despite deep war damage and security concerns. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-returns-lebanon-start-under-un-backed-plan-marking-major-shift-2025-07-09/

By Timour Azhari BEIRUT (Reuters) -Thousands of Syrian refugees are set to return from Lebanon this week under the first, U.N.-backed plan providing financial incentives, after Syria's new rulers said all citizens were welcome home despite deep war damage and security concerns. Returning Syrians will ... https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-07-09/syrian-returns-from-lebanon-to-start-under-un-backed-plan-marking-major-shift

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) announced that the government successfully repatriated 691 ... https://en.antaranews.com/news/365133/indonesia-repatriates-691-migrant-workers-from-conflict-hit-myanmar

'Mutually accepted solution between Israel and the Palestinians will help secure lasting stability in the region,' says foreign minister - Anadolu Ajansı https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/slovakia-reaffirms-support-for-two-state-solution-to-israel-palestine-conflict/3626497

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian delves into the current status of fighting inside the Strip and in the north and a pair of deadly incidents that saw the loss of six IDF soldiers https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-july-10-day-643-idf-executes-ground-ops-in-gaza-lebanon-and-syria/

The Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces have been attempting to reach an integration agreement between the two, but sticking points remain. https://www.newarab.com/news/syria-rejects-federalism-calls-kurds-join-army-ranks

Syrian activist also present at Knesset meeting, where he recounted Syria's president speaking about Israel and a 'unique opportunity' https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/senior-saudi-journalist-urges-coexistence-landmark-visit-israeli-parliament

On July 10 and 11, ICTJ convened a high-level dialogue in Geneva that brought members of Syria’s newly established transitional justice commissions together with international experts and representatives from Syrian civil society and victims’ groups and multilateral institutions. The two-day event provided guidance to the commissioners as they develop and implement their mandates and supported Syrian-led efforts to build transparent and inclusive institutions. https://www.ictj.org/latest-news/ictj-convenes-international-dialogue-geneva-support-syria%E2%80%99s-national-commissions

Syrian activist Shadi Martini tells lobby new president called peace with Israel a 'unique opportunity'; Gulf journalist Abdulaziz Alkhamis says Israel must commit 'to coexistence' https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-syrian-figures-visit-knesset-to-talk-up-chances-for-normalization/

A lethal mix of politics and climate change has unleashed the country’s worst blazes in years — and exposed its fault lines https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/forest-fires-and-accusations-in-the-new-syria/

Sources: Hegseth failed to inform White House about Ukraine weapons pause

China has reportedly threatened to stop buying rare earth minerals from areas in Myanmar held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) an ethnic militia battling Myanmar’s ruling military junta. The threat comes as KIA and junta forces have been fighting for control of the town of Bhamo, a key junta stronghold in ... https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2025/07/09/china-myanmar-rare-earth-conflict-kachin-kia/