Defense and Military Forces – War Watch

Defense and Military Forces | Egypt | Gaza Strip | Hamas | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinian Authority | Palestinians | Rafah (Gaza Strip) | Supreme Court of Israel | War Crimes, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

What to Know About the Rafah Border Crossing in Gaza
ByEphrat Livni February 1, 2026February 2, 2026

The only crossing that connects Gaza with Egypt has reopened. The move will allow residents to leave for medical care or return to homes and families in the territory.

Read More What to Know About the Rafah Border Crossing in Gaza
Deaths (Fatalities) | Defense and Military Forces | Evacuations and Evacuees | Explosions (Accidental) | Fires and Firefighters | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Rumors and Misinformation | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Explosions in Iran Spread Jitters and Rumors Amid Anticipation of Attacks
ByLeily Nikounazar and Pranav Baskar January 31, 2026

Deadly blasts, including one that may have been caused by a gas leak, raised anxiety in the country. “Society is waiting for war,” one Iranian said.

Read More Explosions in Iran Spread Jitters and Rumors Amid Anticipation of Attacks
Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government

Why Trump Is Going After Iran Now
ByDavid E. Sanger, Coleman Lowndes, Valentina Caval, Nikolay Nikolov and Thomas Vollkommer January 30, 2026February 1, 2026

As President Trump warns that “we have a lot of very big, very powerful ships sailing to Iran right now,” our national security correspondent David E. Sanger breaks down what to know.

Read More Why Trump Is Going After Iran Now
Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Nuclear weapons | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations

War Threats and Ambiguous Evidence: Trump Again Confronts Iran
ByMark Mazzetti, Julian E. Barnes, David E. Sanger and Ronen Bergman January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

There is little sign that Iran has made significant progress in reconstituting its nuclear program, leaving questions about the timing and motive behind potential plans for further attacks.

Read More War Threats and Ambiguous Evidence: Trump Again Confronts Iran
Arms trade | Biden, Joseph R Jr | Defense and Military Forces | Foreign Aid | Gaza Strip | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Politics and Government | United States | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government

Netanyahu Vows to Cut Israel’s Reliance on U.S. Military Aid
ByIsabel Kershner January 29, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed some soldiers’ deaths in the Gaza war on a lack of ammunition caused by a pause in American weapon deliveries during President Biden’s term.

Read More Netanyahu Vows to Cut Israel’s Reliance on U.S. Military Aid
Araghchi, Abbas | Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel Proxy Conflict | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Middle East | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Pezeshkian, Masoud | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | War and Armed Conflicts | Witkoff, Steven

Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Massive Armada’ and Presses a Set of Demands
ByDavid E. Sanger, Tyler Pager and Farnaz Fassihi January 28, 2026January 28, 2026

U.S. and European officials say they have put three demands in front of the Iranians, including a permanent end to all enrichment of uranium.

Read More Trump Threatens Iran With ‘Massive Armada’ and Presses a Set of Demands
Civilian Casualties | Defense and Military Forces | Gaza Strip | Hamas | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Kidnapping and Hostages | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinian Islamic Jihad | Palestinians | Peace Process | Ran Gvili | Trump, Donald J

Israel Recovers Body of Ran Gvili From Gaza, Closing a Chapter
ByIsabel Kershner and David M. Halbfinger January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

The recovery of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili’s body paves the way for the next stage of the Gaza cease-fire plan, though the path forward is unclear.

Read More Israel Recovers Body of Ran Gvili From Gaza, Closing a Chapter
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Peace Process | Syria | Syrian Army | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Announces Cease-Fire Extension, Hours After Truce With Kurds Expired
ByAbdi Latif Dahir January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

Syria’s government and Kurdish-led forces in the country’s northeast have clashed as President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to extend his authority across the entire country.

Read More Syria Announces Cease-Fire Extension, Hours After Truce With Kurds Expired
Defense and Military Forces | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Embargoes and Sanctions | International Relations | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Muslims and Islam | Politics and Government | Tehran (Iran) | War and Armed Conflicts

Iran’s Leadership Stumbles After War and Unrest
ByDeclan Walsh January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

The bloody crackdown offers hints about growing tensions inside the country’s ruling system as the cleric’s rule comes under strain.

Read More Iran’s Leadership Stumbles After War and Unrest
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
ByEuan Ward January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Government troops drew closer to Raqqa, the largest city overseen by the Kurds, raising U.S. concerns about the renewal of a wider conflict in the region.

Read More Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint