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Russian diplomats and military officials to join talks with US and Ukraine, Kremlin says

Russian diplomats and military officials to join talks with US and Ukraine, Kremlin says

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Russia's delegation to talks with the United States and Ukraine next week will include senior military officials and diplomats including Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax news agency.
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UN Peacekeeping Chief Warns of Security Vacuum in Lebanon Following UNIFIL Withdrawal

UN Peacekeeping Chief Warns of Security Vacuum in Lebanon Following UNIFIL Withdrawal

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has warned the Security Council about a potential security vacuum in southern Lebanon if the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) withdraws without a replacement mechanism. Following a trip to the Middle East, Lacroix reported that Lebanese officials are concerned about losing UNIFIL's third-party presence, which has historically helped prevent misunderstandings and maintain communication channels between the Lebanese army and the Israel Defense Forces. Lacroix emphasized the risk of unintentional escalation if these two forces are left without an intermediary. UNIFIL has monitored the situation along the Blue Line, reported violations, and facilitated humanitarian access for decades. Approximately 10,000 people reside between Israel's forward defensive line and the Blue Line, and UNIFIL's departure would create gaps in monitoring and humanitarian convoy coordination. While withdrawal plans are prepared, the UN has not received clear instructions from t...
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UN's peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara enters liquidation phase after mandate expires

UN's peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara enters liquidation phase after mandate expires

The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara has entered a “liquidation phase” and is beginning to vacate positions and dispose of equipment following a U.S.-Russia standoff at the Security Council last week
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International Crisis Group Warns of Escalation Risks in Western Sahara Following UN Mission Collapse

International Crisis Group Warns of Escalation Risks in Western Sahara Following UN Mission Collapse

Riccardo Fabiani, North Africa project director at the International Crisis Group, has expressed significant concern regarding the potential for military escalation in Western Sahara. This warning comes after the UN Security Council failed to renew the mandate of its Western Sahara mission (Minurso), which had been in place for 35 years. The mission, established in 1991, was intended to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front and facilitate a referendum on the territory's future. However, the ceasefire collapsed in 2020, and the referendum never occurred. The recent failure to renew Minurso's mandate, due to vetoes from Russia and the US on each other's resolutions, has effectively ended the peace process. Fabiani highlights that without UN monitoring, the risk of a military incident in the buffer zone escalating into a larger conflict is significantly increased, potentially involving Morocco taking over the area and the Polisario Front launching attacks from Algerian territory.
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UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends After US-Russia Veto Standoff

UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara Ends After US-Russia Veto Standoff

The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has concluded its 35-year peacekeeping operations as of November 1, following the UN Security Council's failure to renew its mandate. This cessation occurred after a diplomatic impasse between the United States and Russia. The U.S. vetoed a Russian draft resolution that sought to extend MINURSO's mandate until October 2027, while Russia, in turn, vetoed a U.S.-backed draft resolution. The U.S. proposal reportedly favored Morocco's autonomy plan for the territory and aimed to rename the mission. MINURSO was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front and to organize a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. The referendum, which would have allowed residents to choose between independence and integration with Morocco, never took place due to disagreements over voter eligibility. Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, has welcomed the miss...
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464 Chinese Peacekeepers in Lebanon Awarded UN Medals for Commitment to Stability

464 Chinese Peacekeepers in Lebanon Awarded UN Medals for Commitment to Stability

On November 3, 2026, a total of 464 peacekeepers from the 24th Chinese peacekeeping contingent to Lebanon were awarded UN medals of peace. The ceremony took place at the Chinese peacekeepers' camp in Hanniyah village in southern Lebanon. These peacekeepers are part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and were recognized for their dedication to maintaining stability and peace in the region. Diodato Abagnara, UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, commended the Chinese contingent for their prompt response, practical solutions, and decisive actions, describing them as "problem-solvers" crucial to the mission. The 24th contingent, which includes engineer and medical detachments, has been serving since December 2025. Their efforts have included clearing over 825 square meters of minefields, safely removing more than 146 landmines, and providing medical treatments to over 3,400 UNIFIL personnel and local residents. Since 2006, more than 8,800 Chinese peacekeepers have been deployed to Lebanon.
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Iran says it has lifted its self-imposed limit on missile ranges, and other Mideast news

Iran says it has lifted its self-imposed limit on missile ranges, and other Mideast news

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it has lifted the self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile range
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France's Post-Suez Crisis Humiliation and Censorship Revealed 70 Years Later

France's Post-Suez Crisis Humiliation and Censorship Revealed 70 Years Later

Seventy years after the Suez Crisis, new details have emerged regarding France's efforts to conceal its humiliation on the international stage. According to journalist Ludivine Lopez, France's status as a great power diminished significantly after the crisis, forcing it to negotiate with the United States and the Soviet Union. Historian Franck Mazuet, in the series 'Bote Noire,' examines previously censored footage from 'Actualités Françaises,' a state-controlled newsreel company from 1945 to 1969. This material reveals how French authorities manipulated news coverage to protect the nation's image following the failed invasion. The crisis began in July 1956 when Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. In response, France, the UK, and Israel secretly planned a military operation, 'Musketeer,' for October. Despite the military defeat of Egyptian troops, Nasser emerged as a political victor, and Egypt's nationalization of the canal was internationally accepted. The newly revealed foota...
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Iran's top diplomat speaks with Gulf leaders about tensions, and other Mideast news

Iran's top diplomat speaks with Gulf leaders about tensions, and other Mideast news

Iran’s top diplomat has spoken with Persian Gulf leaders amid regional tensions over potential U.S. military actions
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India Calls for Stricter Accountability and Resource Alignment in UN Peacekeeping Missions

India Calls for Stricter Accountability and Resource Alignment in UN Peacekeeping Missions

India has formally urged the United Nations to implement stricter accountability mechanisms for attacks on peacekeepers, citing the evolving nature of threats faced by 'Blue Helmets.' Colonel Tarunendra Pratap Singh, Military Advisor at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, emphasized the need for updated protection protocols and mission mandates during the annual debate on peacekeeping operations. India's demand is rooted in UN Security Council Resolution 2589, adopted during its presidency in August 2021, which addresses crimes against peacekeepers. A key concern highlighted is the disparity between mission mandates and the resources provided, with Colonel Singh warning against the expectation for peacekeepers to 'do more with less.' India also advocates for a 'structured voice' for troop and police contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) in the UN's decision-making process, proposing institutionalized consultations before mandates are adopted or reviewed. This challenges the current top-down approach whe...
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Syrians Identify Israel as Primary Regional Threat, Survey Reveals Strong Opposition to Recognition

Syrians Identify Israel as Primary Regional Threat, Survey Reveals Strong Opposition to Recognition

A new nationwide survey, the Arab Opinion Index for Syria 2026, indicates that most Syrians view Israel as the greatest threat to their country and the broader Middle East. According to the poll, 97 percent of respondents believe Israel threatens the security and stability of the Middle East, an increase from 78 percent a year prior. Iran was identified as the second-largest threat by 20 percent of respondents for Syria specifically, and 24 percent for the Arab world as a whole. The survey also found that almost 80 percent of Syrians oppose recognizing Israel, a rise from 74 percent in 2025, and 74 percent oppose any agreement that does not include the return of the occupied Golan Heights. This sentiment persists despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, with 96 percent believing Israel is actively destabilizing Syria and 86 percent asserting it fuels separatist tendencies.
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Iranian officials say midterm results show US voters have rejected Trump's war

Iranian officials say midterm results show US voters have rejected Trump's war

Iranian officials celebrated the rejection of the Republican Party and President Donald Trump by voters in the U.S. midterm elections