★SYRIA

1. Trump Cites Syria Vetting Failures To Justify Sweeping Entry Ban

The White House says President Donald Trump’s new proclamation expands the U.S. travel ban to fully bar Syrian nationals and holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents, citing “persistent and severe deficiencies” in screening, vetting, and information‑sharing. Officials argue that Syrian state institutions cannot reliably confirm identities, criminal histories, or past militant ties, so admitting Syrians poses security risks that “cannot be adequately assessed” under current conditions. The order relies on presidential powers under sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the same legal framework the Supreme Court previously upheld in earlier Trump travel‑ban litigation. 

2. Syrian Regime Claims ISIS Cell Bust After Deadly Idlib Attack

Syria’s Interior Ministry claims its security forces killed the leader of an ISIS‑linked cell and arrested eight members after attacks on regime patrols in Idlib and Aleppo. Officials claim the group carried out the Maaret al‑Numan highway ambush and other shootings on customs and security units, and released photos of seized suicide belts, explosives, silencers, and automatic weapons as evidence. Meanwhile, Islamic State leaflets appeared across Idlib city and countryside, condemning the Syrian interim government and warning that current “liberation” is only a role swap with the former regime. The messages threaten the organization’s imminent return and echo earlier wall slogans in Deir ez‑Zor areas, heightening local fears and signaling rising ISIS cell activity in zones formally under interim government and National Army control. Independent outlets and opposition activists note that all details, including “confessions” and casualty figures, come solely from regime statements, with no outside verification of the suspects’ identities or ISIS ties so far.

3. French Prosecutors Seek Heavy Lafarge Penalties Over Syria Terror

French anti-terror prosecutors have requested a 1.125 million‑euro fine for Lafarge and prison terms of up to eight years for eight former executives over alleged financing of jihadist groups around the company’s Jalabiya cement plant in northern Syria in 2012–2014. The requested sentences include six years for ex‑CEO Bruno Lafont and five years plus a 225,000‑euro fine for former deputy CEO Christian Herrault and former Syria head Bruno Pescheux, alongside customs penalties for sanctions‑busting. Prosecutors also seek eight years and a 225,000‑euro fine for Syrian intermediary Firas Tlass and three years and 60,000 euros for intermediary Amro (Amr) Taleb, accused of brokering payments and raw‑material deals with ISIS and other armed groups, with both men to be tried in absentia under arrest warrants.

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★ISRAEL

4. Israel, Greece, Cyprus Forge Air Cooperation During Turkish Expansion

Israel’s air force chief met counterparts from Greece and Cyprus to strengthen military and air coordination during concerns over Turkiye’s growing regional influence. The talks focused on defense cooperation and regional partnerships, as Greece considers buying Israeli air-defense systems and Ankara signals ambitions in the eastern Mediterranean and Gaza.

5. Hamas Recruits Thousands, Quietly Rebuilds Military Strength in Gaza

Despite signaling support for a ceasefire, Hamas is covertly rebuilding its military capabilities in Gaza, recruiting about 3,000 new fighters since the truce began. Reports say the group is reorganizing weapons production and core systems, while it has yet to replace a senior commander killed recently, relying instead on younger, less experienced figures.

6. Israel Bars Canadian Lawmakers From Entering West Bank Territory

Israel blocked a Canadian delegation, including six lawmakers, from entering the West Bank at the Allenby Crossing, citing links to a group funded by Islamic Relief Worldwide, which Israel designates a terror organization. Canada protested the move, while one MP alleged mistreatment by Israeli border officials.

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★IRAN

7. Iran’s Araghchi Visits Moscow With Nuclear Dispute High

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow for talks focused on the nuclear file during tensions with the IAEA. Russia urged agency neutrality after strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, while Moscow and Tehran discussed reviving cooperation, regional issues, and expanding strategic and economic ties.

8. Venezuelan Oil Crackdown Expected to Hit Iran Hard

The Jerusalem Post reported that President Donald Trump’s planned crackdown on Venezuelan oil tankers would also affect Iran due to shared sanctioned vessels and close energy ties. Citing past U.S. seizures, recent tanker rerouting, and a 2022 cooperation pact, it said Washington may detain more ships and boost military presence, risking broader regional fallout.

9. US Fines Crypto Firm Exodus Over Iran Sanctions Violations

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control fined crypto company Exodus $3.1 million for violating Iran sanctions. OFAC said Exodus provided services to Iranian users between 2017 and 2019, advised VPN use to bypass restrictions, committed 254 violations, and lacked an effective sanctions compliance program.

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★IRAQ

10. New Iraqi Government Turns to Borrowing During Budget Deficit

Outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said the new government will resort to borrowing due to a federal budget deficit, despite stable finances. He cited low external debt, rising foreign reserves, higher gold holdings, reduced inflation, and spending reforms, stressing the crisis can be managed without harming citizens.

11. Sadr Freezes Saraya al-Salam Units in Basra, Wasit

Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered a six-month freeze of Saraya al-Salam and the closure of its offices in Basra and Wasit. He cited repeated violations and harm to the group’s reputation, saying its image mattered more than its continued presence.

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★YURKIYE

12. Turkish Drones Gain Capability to Monitor Greece, Israel Remotely

Reports say Türkiye has unveiled a new electro-optical drone system developed by Aselsan, capable of capturing high-resolution images from up to 200 kilometers away. Integrated into Bayraktar heavy drones, the system boosts Ankara’s surveillance and deterrence capabilities during rising regional tensions.

13. Türkiye Warns Russia, Ukraine After Black Sea Drone Incident

Türkiye urged Russia and Ukraine to stop targeting civilian vessels after Turkish F-16s shot down an out-of-control drone over the Black Sea. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that reciprocal attacks threaten maritime safety, stressing Ankara’s enforcement of the Montreux Convention to prevent the conflict from spreading into the Black Sea.

14. Trump Decision Triggers Muslim Brotherhood Collapse, Deportation Fears in Türkiye

Following Donald Trump’s designation of Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist groups, Brotherhood-linked entities in Türkiye face organizational collapse and internal disputes. Reports cite dissolving associations, leadership infighting, and growing fears of deportation, including members of the armed Hasm movement, signaling major pressure on the group’s presence in Türkiye.

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★THE GULF

15. Saudi Navy Floats First Tuwaiq Combat Ship in the US

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Navy floated the combat ship King Saud, the first of four Tuwaiq-class multi-mission vessels, in Wisconsin. The ceremony was attended by senior Saudi and US officials and representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri. The project strengthens naval capabilities, protects vital sea lanes, and reflects growing Saudi-US defense cooperation under Vision 2030.

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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.