Matthew Bell

Israel’s search in Lebanon for remains of long-lost weapons officer triggers deadly shootout Ron Arad has been missing since parachuting out of his damaged plane during an operation in 1986

For four decades, the Israeli military has sought to find out what happened to airman Ron Arad, who disappeared in Lebanon in 1986.

On Saturday, the latest chapter in that hunt was a chaotic firefight in the Bekaa Valley that left 41 Lebanese dead.

My report from Beirut

US wants Kurdish boots on the ground in Iran. Why it’s not an easy ask. Once again, a crisis in the Middle East has the U.S. appealing for military help from the stateless Kurds, this time as boots-on-the-ground proxies in Iran. Affecting any desire to contribute is the m...

US wants Kurdish boots on the ground in Iran. Why it’s not an easy ask.

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US investigates fatal air strike on Iranian girls’ school

US investigates fatal air strike on Iranian girls’ school

Appeals Court Upholds Protected Status for 350,000 Haitians

Appeals Court Upholds Protected Status for 350,000 Haitians www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/u...

Russia is providing Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say The targeting information has included the locations of American warships and aircraft in the Middle East, the officials said.

"Since the war began Saturday, Russia has passed Iran the locations of U.S. military assets, including warships and aircraft,..." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Hezbollah joined the Iran war. Israel’s response carries risks. Israel’s dual strategy: Break Hezbollah but don’t destroy the possibility of ties with the Lebanon’s government.

Hezbollah joined the Iran war. Israel’s response carries risks.

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What she said.

The US wants change in Cuba. So do more Cubans. Over the years, Cubans have figured out ways to carefully express disapproval of their repressive government. But calls for change are getting louder.

The US wants change in Cuba. So do more Cubans.
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Celtics star Jayson Tatum could make season debut Friday vs. Mavericks - The Boston Globe On Thursday afternoon Tatum was upgraded from "out" to "questionable," indicating he is positioned to return 10 months after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the NBA playoffs.

“Obviously, any team with Jayson Tatum is going to be better,” president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said last month. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/03/05/s...

Nepalis head to polls in first election since ‘Gen Z uprising’ Every year, hundreds of thousands of young people leave Nepal in search of work. These elections – the country’s first since youth-led protests overthrew the government – are giving some a reason to s...

Nepalis head to polls in first election since ‘Gen Z uprising’

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The nightmare Iran energy scenario is becoming reality A longer war means a harsher global economic fallout

The nightmare Iran energy scenario is becoming reality
economist.com/finance-and-...

Israel Is Blowing Up Iran’s Police State to Clear the Way for a Revolt Airstrikes have targeted organizations responsible for suppressing protests and cracking down on separatists, though analysts are skeptical the strategy will work.

“Israeli officials.. are looking to do enough damage to Iran’s police state from the air that the people can take over on the ground.” Degrading state capacity increases likelihood of state failure, not democratic change -Israel fine with chaotic collapse, US/Gulf not.

www.wsj.com/world/middle...

U.S. Opens Military Action in Ecuador Against ‘Terrorist Organizations’

“In the month of March, we will conduct joint operations with our regional allies, including the United States,” Ecuador’s president Daniel Noboa wrote. “The security of Ecuadoreans is our priority, and we will fight to achieve peace in every corner of the country.” www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/u...

Pedro Sánchez calls US-Israeli war in Iran a ‘disaster’ amid spat with Trump Spanish prime minister likens conflict to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s assault on Gaza

giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Pedro Sánchez calls US-Israeli war in Iran a ‘disaster’ amid spat with Trump

On March 3, Ecuadorian and U.S. military forces launched operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations in Ecuador. The operations are a powerful example of the commitment of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to combat the scourge of narco-terrorism. Together, we are taking decisive action to confront narco-terrorists who have long inflicted terror, violence, and corruption on citizens throughout the hemisphere. “We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.” - #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.

In other war powers news…

Will be very interested to learn what exactly the U.S. role was and who these “Designated Terrorist Organizations” were.

U.S. Opens Military Action in Ecuador Against ‘Terrorist Organizations’

U.S. Opens Military Action in Ecuador Against ‘Terrorist Organizations’ www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/u...

The Failed Armed Expedition to Topple Cuba’s Regime A ragtag group took to the Straits of Florida on a speedboat, wanting to spark a rebellion. Cuban forces ambushed them.

They posted videos on Facebook and wanted to spark a rebellion in Cuba. But they were ambushed off the coast of the island, with four dead and the others injured and detained by Cuban authorities. www.wsj.com/world/americ...

Global Economy Is Facing the Prospect of Another Profound Shock

“It’s a little bit like asking, when the Archduke Ferdinand got killed, what the macroeconomic consequences would be, and having no idea what was next,” Mr. Rogoff said. “When World War I started, everyone thought it would end in a month.” www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/b...

Iran executes Khamenei’s plan to spread regional war Strikes on energy facilities and targets across Middle East form strategy devised to sow chaos in retaliation for US and Israeli attack

“What did they expect? If the head of the Islamic republic is targeted, do they think nothing will happen?” giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

‘Depart now’: US tells its citizens to urgently leave almost all Mideast countries, including Israel Highly unusual directive, issued on third day of US-Israel war against Iran, affects hundreds of thousands of Americans, including over 200,000 in Israel; comes as Iran widens retaliatory attacks, Tru...

'Depart now': US tells its citizens to urgently leave almost all Mideast countries, including Israel

www.timesofisrael.com/us-warns-its...

Iran human rights group HRANA:

"The total number of reported civilian deaths stands at 742, including 176 children under 18, with 624 reported deaths currently . under review"

"Reported civilian injuries since 28 February 2026 stand at 971, including 115 children"

www.en-hrana.org/the-third-da...

Despite Its Weakness, Hezbollah Plunges Lebanon Back Into War

Despite Its Weakness, Hezbollah Plunges Lebanon Back Into War www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/w...

As the laid off Middle East News Editor, I concur. Management eliminated the positions of every single staff correspondent and bureau chief in the Middle East.

YouTube video by The Christian Science Monitor War in Iran: A Conversation with The Christian Science Monitor

Join live discussion with @csmonitor.bsky.social Middle East correspondent Scott Peterson, and CSM Editor Christa Case Bryant, about the war in Iran. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwQT...

Iran retaliates for killing of supreme leader, threatening regional security Iran has sent hundreds of missiles and drones across the region this weekend. The government claims it is only targeting U.S. military sites and personnel, but strikes are much more widespread.

Iran on Sunday attempted to exact a heavy price on the United States, Israel, and Washington’s Arab allies over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Death of Iran’s leader marks turning point for Islamic Republic U.S. and Israeli airstrikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, this weekend. His death closes a nearly four-decade chapter in Iran marked by iron-fist rule and resistance to the U.S...

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Death of Iran's leader marks turning point for the Islamic Republic

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With the supreme leader dead, power in Iran hangs in the balance A dramatic blow to the regime—followed by dangerous uncertainty

“Memories of the violent chaos that followed the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003 and Muammar Qaddafi in Libya in 2011 remain seared in the region’s memory.”

economist.com/middle-east-...

Trump Has No Plan for the Iranian People The mere act of bombing Iran will not by itself create a stable regime.

Important questions here about what exactly the Trump administration is seeking with this Iran war — www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

BREAKING: Iranian state TV has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and US air strikes today.

A tearful host on state TV's channel one announced the news live on air.

Israelis, used to war, awaken to another emergency. But it’s something new. Israeli civilians have been accustomed to hearing air-raid sirens and running to shelters. But after weeks of building anticipation of some new conflict with Iran, they awoke Saturday to messaging fro...

Israelis, used to war, awaken to another emergency. But it’s something new.
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