Syria–Israel Security Flashpoint: Israel says its strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase was meant to warn Turkey against building a deeper military presence, citing plans for radar, air defenses and Turkish commandos—while Syria and Qatar condemn the targeting of a “civilian vehicle” by drone in another reported incident. Turkey–Syria Integration Watch: In Hasakah, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi’s announcement of “military, security and administrative integration” is being treated as a step forward, but officials and analysts stress implementation on the ground is still the real test. Transitional Justice Move: Lebanon’s extradition of former Assad-era general Adel Issa to Damascus could open the door for more accountability, though rights groups warn Syria still lacks a full legal framework for war-crimes prosecutions. Nuclear Safeguards Update: The IAEA says it found several tons of natural uranium metal at a Syrian site tied to the former program, with material now under international safeguards—raising stakes amid ongoing regional tensions. Energy & Infrastructure: Jordan leans on interconnection—grids, pipelines and cross-border links—as its “in-between” strategy, while Iraq pushes Hormuz bypass pipeline work with feed bids and Iran grants permission for some Iraqi oil tankers to pass. Tech/Science Angle: A study reports shark fossils from Egypt’s ancient Cretaceous sea, adding to evidence of a once-rich marine ecosystem along North Africa.