★U.S.A.
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Trump Targets Muslim Brotherhood Chapters As Terrorists, Spares Qatar, Turkiye
President Trump signed an order launching a process to consider designating Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as terrorist organizations, not the global group as a whole. The order cites alleged links to Hamas and rocket attacks on Israel, as well as incitement against U.S. partners after October 7. Regional supporters in Israel, Egypt, and Jordan praise the move and urge Europe to follow, arguing the Brotherhood diverts donations and fuels terrorism. The order tasks Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with delivering a report within 30 days and acting within 45 days, while notably not targeting Qatar or Turkiye, which host Brotherhood-linked figures but remain key U.S. partners.
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★LEBANON
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Hezbollah Suffers Major Loss, Lebanon Worries About Next Strike
Israel’s airstrike Sunday killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff Haitham Ali Tabatabai and several fighters in Beirut’s southern suburbs, striking a command center as the group attempted to rebuild military and security capabilities. The operation highlights Israeli ability to penetrate Hezbollah’s fortified circles, raising doubts inside Lebanon about the party’s security and strength. Both Israeli military and northern authorities remain on alert for possible retaliation, as Hezbollah weighs difficult options between escalating conflict and restraint under domestic and external pressure. Lebanese officials demand Israel cease hostilities and urge resistance to foreign intervention, while Iranian advisers allow Hezbollah autonomy in deciding its next move. Analysts estimate Hezbollah retains only 30% of its strategic arsenal, and most expect only limited or symbolic retaliation given recent losses and risk of wider war.
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★ISRAEL
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Report: Iran Poised to Interfere in Upcoming Israeli Elections
Israel Hayom says security services view Iranian meddling as nearly certain, with Tehran using fake social-media networks and AI tools to spread disinformation, disrupt consensus, sow confusion on voting day, and cast doubt on results. The report warns Iran’s growing capabilities require stronger Israeli intelligence and digital oversight to block any external interference.
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Islamic Jihad Finds Remains of Remaining Israeli Hostage
Islamic Jihad announced Monday the discovery of remains of one of the three remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, following several days of searches north of Al-Nuseirat camp. Since the October 10 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, all 20 living hostages and 25 of the 28 bodies have been returned, while Israel freed about 2,000 Palestinians and returned hundreds of bodies.
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IAF Strikes Terror Targets East of Khan Yunis, Gaza
The IAF hit terror targets east of Khan Yunis after identifying a cell approaching Israeli forces near the ceasefire line. Days earlier, strikes killed about 15 terrorists emerging from tunnels in eastern Rafah. The IDF says the remaining Hamas fighters in Rafah’s tunnel “pocket” are now only dozens and may be eliminated within weeks.
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★THE GULF
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Trump Taps Saudi Crown Prince To Broker Iran Dialogue Track
President Trump has reportedly tasked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to open and manage a direct channel for Washington-Tehran dialogue, attempting to deescalate regionally by bypassing traditional mediators and engaging Iranian President Pezeshkian’s government directly. While the kingdom pitches itself as a credible intermediary, Iranian officials publicly deny any mediation and say the only outstanding issue negotiable is nuclear, reiterating that Washington—not Riyadh—is the true obstacle. Saudi leverage is augmented by recent US-Saudi nuclear agreements, and Riyadh reportedly seeks to balance its own security, prevent Iranian nuclear breakout, and maintain economic momentum. Omani and Qatari diplomatic roles diminish as Riyadh tests its unique access; some Iranian advisers call for pragmatic engagement, while state messaging remains defiant.
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UAE Hosts Secret Russia-US Peace Talks As Kyiv Shelling Intensifies
US Army Secretary Driscoll convened with Russian envoys in Abu Dhabi, positioning the UAE as a discreet broker of Trump-sponsored peace talks as Ukraine-Russia fighting escalates. US and Russian sides reviewed an updated peace plan with fewer pro-Russian terms, while Zelensky’s government and EU officials remain wary and maintain difficult frontline contact.
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★SUDAN
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Sudan Rivals Reject US-Backed Truce, Boulos Urges Acceptance
Massad Boulos confirmed neither the Sudanese army nor RSF agreed to the humanitarian truce; RSF’s unilateral ceasefire faces skepticism as fighting persists, with Sudan army chief Burhan rejecting the US-backed proposal and accusing Boulos’s Quartet team of bias.
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★TURKIYE
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Türkiye and South Korea Sign Six Deals Including Nuclear Cooperation
Türkiye and South Korea signed six agreements in Ankara, including on the Sinop nuclear project, as Erdoğan and President Lee discussed deeper defense ties, expanded trade nearing $15 billion, Hyundai’s upcoming EV production, and cooperation in energy, tech, and tourism, while aligning on Gaza ceasefire efforts and advancing diplomatic initiatives on Syria and Ukraine.
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Turkish Lawmakers Meet Imprisoned PKK Leader Ocalan at Imrali Prison
A Turkish parliamentary delegation overseeing PKK disarmament visited jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan on Imrali Island, asking about the militant group’s dissolution and its agreements with the Syrian government and SDF, marking the commission’s first meeting with him, according to the parliament speaker’s office.
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★IRAN
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Larijani Calls for Direct Iran-Israel Clash After Hezbollah Killing
Iran’s Ali Larijani urged direct confrontation with Israel after an IDF strike in Beirut killed Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai and four others, offering condolences to Naim Qassem. He said Israel achieved its goal and left no alternative but confrontation, later praising Pakistan for backing Iran during earlier clashes with Israel.
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Indonesia to Auction Seized Iranian Tanker and Crude Cargo
Indonesia will auction the seized Iranian tanker MT Arman 114 and its 1.245 million barrels of crude on December 2 for a minimum of Rp 1.174 trillion ($70 million), following a court ruling that forfeited the vessel after its illegal ship-to-ship transfer and the captain’s conviction for waste dumping. Nineteen qualified firms have registered to bid.
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★IRAQ
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Iraq Emerges as Iran’s Largest Non-Oil Goods Import Market
Iran reported $32 billion in non-oil exports over seven months, with Iraq topping buyers ahead of China, the UAE, Turkey, and Afghanistan. Tehran cites mixed shifts in major commodities and ongoing efforts to streamline trade infrastructure and expand regional agreements, while imports reached $34.5 billion, led by gold, feed corn, sunflower oil, smartphones, and rice.
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Iraq Transport Ministry Reports Ports Revenue Surpassing $810 Million
Iraq’s Transport Ministry reported port revenues surpassing about $810 million by October, crediting modernization of marine traffic systems, tighter administrative oversight, and improved operational efficiency, while officials said upgraded logistics, enhanced fee collection, and better performance in berthing, handling, and shipping underpinned the gains and will be reinforced by planned investments in port infrastructure and fleet expansion.
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Iraq Spends Half a Billion Dollars on National Elections
An Iraqi official told a Lebanese figure that the country’s parliamentary elections cost $500 million, underscoring the heavy financial burden incurred despite the difficult conditions citizens continue to face.
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★SYRIA
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Syria Captures ISIS Cell in Coastal Latakia Province
Syrian authorities arrested a “dangerous” ISIS-linked cell in Badrousieh, northern Latakia, after a tracked operation involving internal security and intelligence units. The raid included armed clashes, resulting in all members detained and two killed, with weapons seized and one intelligence officer seriously injured, as officials said the cell was planning attacks on Syria’s coast.
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Two SDF Members Killed, Others Wounded in Deir ez-Zor Attacks
Two SDF members were killed, and several were wounded in three separate attacks across Deir ez-Zor, including an ambush near the Jafra oil field, gunfire on a patrol in Jadid Akidat, and shelling of an SDF base in Granij from government-held areas, amid ongoing assaults by unidentified gunmen and ISIS cells.
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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.
