Here's a summary of recent developments:

Israel

The Israeli military intervened in sectarian clashes near Damascus, launching strikes in support of Syria’s Druze minority. Wildfires near Jerusalem prompted evacuations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the blazes a “nation danger.” In Gaza, Israeli forces have designated approximately 70 percent of the enclave as either a military “red zone” or under evacuation, according to the United Nations.

The United States said at a World Court hearing in The Hague that Israel cannot be forced to allow UNRWA to operate in Gaza. Switzerland will enact a law banning Hamas from May 15. Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat stated Israel is looking to expand trade eastward, seeking to increase exports from $150 billion to almost $1 trillion over the next 15 years.

Two IDF reservists were wounded in a roadside bomb attack near the West Bank town of Beita. The State Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against two Israeli Arabs for attempting to join ISIS.

Iran

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran of consequences for supporting the Houthis. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed support for Iran’s diplomatic efforts regarding its nuclear program. The United States imposed sanctions on entities involved in the illicit trade of Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals.

Lawrence J. Haas writes that Washington must keep its eye on the sanctions clock and avoid a deal that does more to strengthen the regime in Tehran than serve U.S. interests.

Russia and Ukraine

The Trump administration reached a deal with Ukraine giving the U.S. access to its mineral wealth. Sen. Lindsey Graham is pursuing new sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. The Kremlin stated that President Vladimir Putin is open to peace in Ukraine, but rapid progress is difficult.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. Ukraine’s SBU security agency claimed responsibility for a drone strike on a defense manufacturing facility in Russia. Russian drones attacked Odesa, resulting in casualties and damage. L3Harris is leveraging its support of Ukrainian forces to inform development efforts for the US Army’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) programme.

Syria

Syria is grappling with the issue of foreign fighters and a wave of ethnic killings. Hundreds of Alawites have been forced from their homes in Damascus, and Syrian security forces have deployed near Damascus to “restore security”.

Turkey

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed demands by Syrian Kurdish groups for Syria to adopt a decentralised system of government. A Turkish court convicted a Swedish journalist of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ankara called on Israel to halt its aerial operations in Syria. A report from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America argued that Ankara should not be considered for readmission into the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey and Greece have concluded a fresh round of talks in Thessaloniki, Greece, as part of the 2025 implementation of bilateral military confidence-building measures (CBMs).

Middle East & North Africa

The Trump Organization has agreed to a new Middle East golf course and real estate deal that involves a Qatari government-owned firm. Saudi Arabian officials are signaling they can handle a prolonged period of low oil prices. Millions of dollars in U.S. grants for Jordan’s largest water desalination project were cut. The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of Patriot missile systems equipment and support services to Kuwait for an estimated cost of $425 million. Algeria’s government proposed a law to streamline military mobilization. The Lebanese army has dismantled “over 90 percent” of Hezbollah’s infrastructure near the border with Israel since a November ceasefire.

Korean Peninsula

South Korea’s Supreme Court will issue a ruling in a case involving presidential frontrunner Lee Jae-myung. South Korea’s acting leader Han Duck-soo is expected to resign. South Korean prosecutors have indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol for abuse of authority. North Korea said the construction of a new bridge linking it to Russia is a “significant” development of relations. South Korea’s exports were unexpectedly resilient in April. Kim Jong Un called for accelerating the nuclear weapon capability of the Korean People’s Army Navy.

China

The volume of Chinese goods packed in containers bound for the U.S. keeps falling as new U.S. tariffs dent demand. The United States has approached China seeking talks over President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs. Three Chinese astronauts landed back on Earth after six months on China’s space station.

South Asia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions. India shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines. The head of the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir called for international mediation.

Asia

Singaporeans need to vote for candidates who have built up trust and close relationships with counterparts in the U.S. and China, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia needs to defend itself. Some 131 Central Asian migrants who were in the U.S. illegally are being deported to Uzbekistan. President Donald Trump said he has “potential” trade deals with India, South Korea and Japan. The Philippines’ Department of National Defense is reviewing at least 50 security agreements. Ivan Eland writes that the Japanese and Europeans need to be the first line of defense against their respective potential adversaries.

Europe

Amid the tributes that flowed in after Pope Francis’ death, many Jews in Israel and elsewhere had mixed feelings about the Argentine pontiff. Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin agreed to create a missile and rocket manufacturing center in Germany. A man has been charged with a terrorism offense in London after he attempted to enter the Israeli Embassy armed with two knives. A U.S. private sector delegation is set to visit Greenland to explore investment opportunities. The Swiss government suggested holding an optional referendum on the country’s new agreement with the European Union. Lars Klingbeil, Germany’s next vice chancellor and finance minister, is an experienced Social Democrat lawmaker who has sat in parliament for more than 15 years, but his area of expertise has been in defence rather than finance. Romanians vote on Sunday in a presidential election re-run that could propel ultranationalist George Simion to power. Belarus released a U.S. citizen who had been jailed on allegations of plotting to assassinate the country’s authoritarian leader. The European Union is planning to share a paper with the US next week that will set out a package of proposals to kick-start trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Estonia may contribute a company of soldiers to a potential peace-keeping mission in Ukraine as part of a “reassurance force” led by the UK and France.