Middle East

The man behind tens of thousands of deaths in Syria's Hama massacre has died. Rifaat Assad was the Assad family enforcer until he fell out with the President Hafez Assad over the grooming of Bashar.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced their participation after being invited by the US president. The states pledged to support Gaza’s reconstruction and to promote lasting peace in the Middle East.

Sources say Trump created Founding Executive Board to complement Resolution 2803 Gaza Executive Board in order to cement his role after leaving office. Security Council Resolution 2803, which endorsed the 20-point Gaza framework, explicitly taps Trump by name.

The new international bodies expect to complete the disarmament of the Gaza Strip within three to five months. Hamas will be given a short timeframe to respond on whether it agrees to lay down its weapons.

Netanyahu embraces Trump's vision for global diplomacy overhaul. US-led body to oversee Gaza policy and will include leaders from countries worldwide, sidestepping UN.

Is President Donald Trump building not only an alternative to the United Nations but also a substitute for the international organization’s authority to use force?

European forces have not come back to the US-led CMCC from their New Year's holiday, and diplomats tell Reuters nations might end participation in mission due to failing aid efforts and lack of direction under Trump's peace plan.

Police issue surrender ultimatum, senior telecom executive is fired over internet blackout, and authorities move against athletes, artists and independent media.

Senior Kurdish figure Ilham Ahmad revealed Tuesday that the Kurds maintain contact with Israel and welcome support "from any source."