Middle East

Six months into the US-Israeli war against Iran, the conflict has altered the regional balance of power, disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and raised new questions about Washington’s ability to protect its regional partners, according to a series of assessments by experts at the US Council on Foreign Relations.

US diplomats and some of their family members have begun gradually returning to American embassies across the Middle East after months away from their posts following the military conflict against Iran, the Associated Press reported.

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has sparked renewed debate on, saying “benevolent monarchies” have historically “worked best” in the West Asia region.