Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi has placed himself at the center of a high-stakes political and security test after pledging to President Donald Trump that he would disarm the country's militias and dismantle what is known as the "resistance" within two months.

Over the past two and a half years, the idea of reestablishing Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip has followed a deliberate path, beginning with right-wing conferences and settlement movement proposals before culminating in a formal government initiative in June 2026.

US President Donald Trump stated this week that he will soon decide on the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, despite the congressional ban on the deal.

Opponents of Trump, joined by Republicans who believe the party has strayed from its “America First” principles, have moved beyond public criticism and internal feuding to pursue something far more ambitious: the creation of a new political alternative.

Tuesday night into Wednesday saw the worst exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran since the deal - known as a memorandum of understanding - was signed on 17 June.