Overview
- The Syrian military said it took full control of Deir Hafer and additional areas in eastern Aleppo, declared the zone west of the Euphrates a closed military area, and began pushing toward Maskena and Dibsi Afnan after an SDF withdrawal framed as a goodwill step.
- U.S. officials signaled the threat of reimposing Caesar Act penalties if Damascus widens operations against the U.S.-backed SDF, and Senator Lindsey Graham pledged to push for renewed and tougher sanctions should Syrian forces target Kurdish fighters.
- Israel’s Mossad chief David Barnea arrived in the United States for talks focused on Iran as reporting indicated President Trump stepped back this week from ordering strikes, with U.S. military posture in the region under review.
- France confirmed an initial military team has deployed to Greenland within a European mission, the White House said such moves will not alter President Trump’s stance on taking control of the island, and thousands protested in Copenhagen and Nuuk against U.S. plans.
- The White House named members to a new Gaza “peace council” and an executive committee, and Axios reported the administration is proceeding with its plan despite public objections from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.