★THE GULF

1. US F-35 Jets to be Sold to Saudi Arabia to lack Israel’s Advanced Features

Washington’s planned sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia will provide the kingdom with advanced capabilities but still fall short of Israel’s superior configuration, in line with U.S. law guaranteeing Israel’s qualitative military edge. The Saudi aircraft will exclude key electronic-warfare suites, advanced weapons, and other classified features that Israel is uniquely allowed to modify independently. Despite Israeli concerns, the deal would expand Riyadh’s future airpower while still keeping its jets technologically below those of the Israeli Air Force, which has operated the platform for eight years and maintains a numerical advantage as well.

2. South Korea, UAE Pursue Major $15 Billion Defense Partnership

Bloomberg reports South Korea is targeting over $15 billion in potential defense deals with the UAE during President Lee Jae-myung’s Abu Dhabi visit, showcasing the KF-21 fighter. Both sides agreed on cooperation in joint development, local production, and third-country exports, strengthening Seoul’s regional defense presence during competition and ambitions to rise among top global arms exporters.

3. Saudi-Led Forces Seize Major Meth Shipment in Arabian Sea

Saudi-led Combined Maritime Forces intercepted a stateless dhow in the Arabian Sea on November 16, with Pakistan’s PNS Tabuk seizing over two tons of crystal meth worth more than $130 million, the third major bust in under a month, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s leading role in securing vital maritime routes.

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★ISRAEL

4. Israel Receives Massive Arms Shipments Through Continuous Air Bridge

Since the Gaza war began on October 8, 2023, Israel has received over 120,000 tons of military equipment via 1,000 flights and about 150 ships in what it calls its largest-ever air bridge, coordinated mainly through U.S. and European procurement missions, despite growing Western restrictions on arms exports to Israel.

5. IDF Airstrikes Hit Gaza After Ceasefire Violation by Hamas

The IDF launched strikes across Gaza after Hamas operatives fired on troops near Khan Younis, calling it a breach of the six-week ceasefire. Israel targeted senior Hamas commanders as Palestinian authorities reported 25 dead. The incident strained ongoing ceasefire efforts tied to a US-backed peace plan requiring Hamas disarmament and international stabilization forces.

6. Report Links Hundreds Connected to Hamas to Canada’s Financial Network

A Canadian intelligence source told Global News that about 450 people with ties to Hamas had financial or residency links to Canada on Oct. 7, including figures sanctioned by the U.S., such as dual national Usama Ali, while ongoing reviews examine suspected facilitators and cases like Winnipeg resident Omar Alkassab, whose crypto wallet was linked to a Hamas-associated exchange.

7. IDF Launches Coordinated Strikes on Hezbollah Across Southern Lebanon

The IDF carried out multiple airstrikes on Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon after issuing evacuation warnings to several villages, including Deir Kifa, Chehour, Aynata, and Tayr Felsay. The attacks followed an Israeli strike that killed 14 Hamas operatives in Ain al-Hilweh, prompting Hezbollah to condemn the incident as a “massacre,” while Lebanese authorities remained largely silent during rising regional tension.

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★SYRIA

8. Syria-China Business Council Established To Boost Investment

Syria established the Syrian-Chinese Business Council to deepen economic ties and attract direct Chinese investment in reconstruction, energy, infrastructure, and technology. Fadi Ali Al-Muhaimid was appointed chairman, with Makram Samir Shatahi as deputy. The council, operating under international business council regulations, aligns with Syria’s strategic goal to expand partnerships with China by providing an institutional framework to organize trade and investment flows. The move prioritizes sectors essential for Syrian economic recovery and development. The decision is effective immediately.

9. Jordan, Syria, Lebanon agree to assess energy plan viability

Energy ministers from Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon met in Amman to advance a donor-backed plan to deliver gas and electricity to Lebanon via Syria. Joint teams will review Syrian and Lebanese infrastructure for needed repairs, acknowledging war-related damage to Syrian pipelines and power lines. Jordan confirmed funding from the World Bank and regional donors, while Syria said connections to Jordan are nearly ready but require ongoing maintenance, signaling technical cooperation amid Lebanon’s acute energy crisis.

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★IRAQ

10. Iraq’s Sudani Seeks Second Term as Kurds Claim Presidency

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed his bid for a second term, calling it an electoral mandate as he begins talks with political blocs, while Kurdish parties insist the presidency remains theirs during disputes over election results and quota seats; internal rifts also persist within the Coordination Framework, with Maliki’s bloc resisting Sudani’s renewal.

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★TURKIYE

11. Türkiye to Host COP31 as Australia Takes Lead on Negotiations

Türkiye will host next year’s COP31 in Antalya under a compromise deal that gives Australia control of government negotiations and places a pre-COP event in the Pacific, ending a long standoff between the two bidders while highlighting Pacific climate concerns and allowing both nations to share responsibilities ahead of the major 2025 summit.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.