As Iraq’s parliament set its late-August agenda without the Popular Mobilization Forces law, questions arose over whether Shiite factions had bowed to U.S. pressure and abandoned legislation they once pledged to force through.

The declared goal of "Israel’s surprise attack" on Iran was to disrupt its nuclear program and prevent uranium enrichment for a weapon, but Israeli and American politicians’ statements suggested the true aim was to topple the Iranian regime.

Russia is moving toward breaking the taboos in its relationship with the Taliban, aiming for full normalization and removal from the list of terrorist organizations.

The "Islamic State" has resumed launching attacks against al-Assad's forces and Iranian militias in Syria, following a period of dormancy for its cells stationed in the Syrian Badiya, extending toward the Iraqi Anbar desert.