https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-gabbard-resigns-amid-iran-war-tensions-and-immigration-policy-upheaval NationScope en 2026-05-24T11:12:53.247Z Gabbard Resigns Amid Iran War Tensions and Immigration Policy Upheaval tulsi gabbard, national intelligence, trump administration, iran war, resignation news https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-us-marine-corps-advances-drone-warfare-with-helicopter-command-integration NationScope en 2026-05-24T11:12:10.347Z US Marine Corps Advances Drone Warfare with Helicopter Command Integration u.s. marine corps, uh-1y venom, southern california, drone technology, military aviation https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-irans-drone-destruction-a-turning-point-in-us-iran-relations NationScope en 2026-05-24T11:10:35.447Z Iran's Drone Destruction: A Turning Point in US-Iran Relations? iran, mq-9 reaper, us military, drone warfare, defense spending https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-israeli-airstrikes-escalate-tensions-in-lebanon-amid-fragile-ceasefire NationScope en 2026-05-24T06:51:37.247Z Israeli Airstrikes Escalate Tensions in Lebanon Amid Fragile Ceasefire israel, lebanon, syrian border, air strikes, military conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-new-us-immigration-policy-sparks-global-concern-amid-diplomatic-tensions NationScope en 2026-05-24T06:49:41.347Z New U.S. Immigration Policy Sparks Global Concern Amid Diplomatic Tensions trump administration, green card, foreign students, united states, visa policy https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-trump-claims-venezuelan-oil-profits-offset-iran-war-costs-amid-political-tension NationScope en 2026-05-24T06:48:51.847Z Trump Claims Venezuelan Oil Profits Offset Iran War Costs Amid Political Tensions donald trump, venezuela, iran war, us politics, oil profits https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-global-tensions-escalate-as-nuclear-talks-collapse-amid-accusations NationScope en 2026-05-24T02:39:58.670Z Global Tensions Escalate as Nuclear Talks Collapse Amid Accusations united nations, nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, international relations, global security https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-escalating-tensions-hamas-accuses-israel-of-erasing-palestinian-presence-in-gaza NationScope en 2026-05-24T02:38:31.447Z Escalating Tensions: Hamas Accuses Israel of Erasing Palestinian Presence in Gaza osama hamdan, hamas, israel, gaza, palestinian presence https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-uk-faces-criticism-over-israel-ties-amid-gaza-healthcare-crisis NationScope en 2026-05-24T02:36:44.473Z UK Faces Criticism Over Israel Ties Amid Gaza Healthcare Crisis uk home secretary, israel policy, gaza healthcare crisis, uk foreign relations, middle east https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-escalating-tensions-al-aqsa-and-san-diego-mosque-attacks-highlight-global-strife NationScope en 2026-05-23T18:42:12.847Z Escalating Tensions: Al-Aqsa and San Diego Mosque Attacks Highlight Global Strife san diego, muslim community, islamic center of san diego, hate crime, gun violence https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-gazas-humanitarian-crisis-deepens-amidst-military-tensions-and-aid-blockades NationScope en 2026-05-23T18:40:36.147Z Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amidst Military Tensions and Aid Blockades gaza, gaza government media office, humanitarian aid, commercial trucks, middle east conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-us-drone-losses-to-iran-highlight-shifting-military-dynamics-amidst-nato-tension NationScope en 2026-05-23T18:39:06.294Z US Drone Losses to Iran Highlight Shifting Military Dynamics Amidst NATO Tensions us army, defence critical infrastructure, tabletop exercise, military strategy, national security https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-tensions-escalate-as-israels-settlement-expansion-faces-global-condemnation NationScope en 2026-05-23T16:06:35.104Z Tensions Escalate as Israel's Settlement Expansion Faces Global Condemnation uk government, german government, italian government, french government, israel https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-controversy-and-criticism-shadow-fifa-world-cup-2026-as-tensions-rise NationScope en 2026-05-23T16:04:51.547Z Controversy and Criticism Shadow FIFA World Cup 2026 as Tensions Rise fifa world cup, 2026 world cup, united states, canada, mexico https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-media-narratives-and-propaganda-shape-perceptions-in-iran-conflict NationScope en 2026-05-23T16:00:24.148Z Media Narratives and Propaganda Shape Perceptions in Iran Conflict iran war, baby shah, media coverage, propaganda, middle east https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-gabbards-resignation-signals-shift-amid-us-iran-conflict-and-policy-changes NationScope en 2026-05-23T11:51:16.647Z Gabbard's Resignation Signals Shift Amid US-Iran Conflict and Policy Changes tulsi gabbard, national intelligence, trump administration, iran war, resignation news https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-marine-corps-revolutionises-drone-warfare-with-airborne-command-centre-tests NationScope en 2026-05-23T11:49:27.547Z Marine Corps Revolutionises Drone Warfare with Airborne Command Centre Tests u.s. marine corps, uh-1y venom, southern california, drone technology, military aviation https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-irans-drone-destruction-escalates-tensions-amid-stalled-us-peace-negotiations NationScope en 2026-05-23T11:47:59.247Z Iran's Drone Destruction Escalates Tensions Amid Stalled US Peace Negotiations iran, mq-9 reaper, us military, drone warfare, defense spending https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-us-arctic-delegation-embarks-amid-rising-global-tensions-and-strategic-shifts NationScope en 2026-05-23T07:25:38.427Z US Arctic Delegation Embarks Amid Rising Global Tensions and Strategic Shifts bipartisan delegation, us senators, arctic security, military tensions, high north https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-global-nuclear-talks-stalled-as-us-iran-tensions-escalate NationScope en 2026-05-23T07:23:39.047Z Global Nuclear Talks Stalled as US-Iran Tensions Escalate united nations, nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, international relations, global security https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-uk-home-secretary-faces-criticism-over-gaza-policy-amid-global-tensions NationScope en 2026-05-23T07:19:21.379Z UK Home Secretary Faces Criticism Over Gaza Policy Amid Global Tensions uk home secretary, israel policy, gaza healthcare crisis, uk foreign relations, middle east https://www.nationscope.news/news/arrest-warrant-issued-for-basil-rajapaksa-in-brown-4009ee42 NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:30:15.624Z Arrest warrant issued for Basil Rajapaksa in Brown Hill case basil rajapaksa, matara magistrate court, brown hill case, sri lanka, corruption in government https://www.nationscope.news/news/opposition-requests-urgent-parliamentary-debate-on-145eb1d5 NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:29:02.224Z Opposition requests urgent parliamentary debate on Rupee crisis sri lanka, opposition leader, parliament, currency crisis, rupee devaluation https://www.nationscope.news/news/pramodya-requests-written-clarification-regarding--be1604f1 NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:28:03.424Z Pramodya requests Written Clarification regarding removal from Selection Committee pramodya wickramasinghe, sri lanka cricket, sports ministry, selection committee, cricket governance https://www.nationscope.news/news/government-has-no-plans-to-limit-vehicle-imports-s-61c09d24 NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:26:38.324Z Government has no plans to limit vehicle imports, says Deputy Finance Minister sri lanka, deputy finance minister, vehicle imports, dollar exchange rate, import restrictions https://www.nationscope.news/news/foreign-minister-holds-discussions-with-senior-us--7a4aa65f NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:25:43.724Z Foreign Minister holds discussions with senior US official to enhance bilateral relations vijitha herath, nicole chulick, jayne howell, sri lanka, united states https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-escalation-in-lebanon-as-israeli-airstrikes-breach-fragile-ceasefire NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:07:38.924Z Escalation in Lebanon as Israeli Airstrikes Breach Fragile Ceasefire israel, lebanon, syrian border, air strikes, military conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-us-immigration-policy-shift-forces-foreign-nationals-to-apply-abroad NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:05:50.024Z US Immigration Policy Shift Forces Foreign Nationals to Apply Abroad trump administration, green card, foreign students, united states, visa policy https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-trump-claims-victory-as-venezuelan-oil-covers-iran-war-costs NationScope en 2026-05-23T03:04:58.324Z Trump Claims Victory as Venezuelan Oil Covers Iran War Costs donald trump, venezuela, iran war, us politics, oil profits https://www.nationscope.news/news/president-announces-record-rs-2000-billion-capital-f5decc4d NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:56:50.924Z President announces record Rs. 2,000 billion capital expenditure for 2027, strengthening Treasury anura kumara dissanayake, sri lanka, capital expenditure, government funding, ampara town hall https://www.nationscope.news/news/minister-nalinda-emphasises-strong-regulation-as-e-f018ea55 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:55:19.724Z Minister Nalinda emphasises strong regulation as essential for AI use in healthcare at WHA79 nalinda jinadasa, world health assembly, artificial intelligence, healthcare regulation, sri lanka https://www.nationscope.news/news/fisheries-minister-inspects-ceynor-vessel-for-maur-f0f1a3b2 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:53:47.224Z Fisheries Minister inspects Ceynor vessel for Mauritius client ramalingam chandrasekar, ceynor foundation limited, mauritius, sri lanka, fisheries industry https://www.nationscope.news/news/catholic-council-convenes-after-nine-years-8db1e6cb NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:52:20.425Z Catholic Council convenes after nine years catholic council, sri lanka, presidential secretariat, religious education, catholic schools https://www.nationscope.news/news/polonnaruwa-hospital-carries-out-first-pediatric-k-a864a4c0 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:51:30.681Z Polonnaruwa hospital carries out first pediatric kidney transplant polonnaruwa hospital, pediatric kidney transplant, sri lanka, kidney donation, healthcare in sri lanka https://www.nationscope.news/news/sanath-jayasuriya-resigns-from-role-at-sri-lanka-c-3fbd1aeb NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:38:33.324Z Sanath Jayasuriya resigns from role at Sri Lanka Cricket sanath jayasuriya, sri lanka cricket, high performance centre, matara district cricket association, cricket news https://www.nationscope.news/news/former-sports-ministers-raise-concerns-about-legal-e836a5e8 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:37:23.245Z Former Sports Ministers raise concerns about legality of new Cricket selection committee harin fernando, dayasiri jayasekara, sri lanka cricket, cricket selection committee, sports administration https://www.nationscope.news/news/dubai-deports-21-wanted-sri-lankans-4a9ec213 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:33:39.324Z Dubai deports 21 wanted Sri Lankans mahawatte chamara, kudu duminda, sri lanka, dubai, organised crime https://www.nationscope.news/news/former-indian-cricketer-retires-from-domestic-cric-b3b9226b NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:32:00.125Z Former Indian cricketer retires from domestic cricket, plans to play in Lanka Premier League vijay shankar, lanka premier league, indian cricket, domestic cricket, ipl retirement https://www.nationscope.news/news/virat-kohli-declines-handshake-with-travis-head-fo-b8ef7e81 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:29:28.124Z Virat Kohli declines handshake with Travis Head following tense IPL match virat kohli, travis head, royal challengers bangalore, sunrisers hyderabad, ipl 2026 https://www.nationscope.news/news/rights-advocate-confronts-uk-minister-regarding-is-a94b87d1 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:11:12.324Z Rights advocate confronts UK minister regarding Israel policy uk home secretary, israel policy, gaza healthcare crisis, uk foreign relations, middle east https://www.nationscope.news/news/hamas-official-claims-israel-seeks-to-eliminate-pa-9a3cef74 NationScope en 2026-05-23T02:09:09.525Z Hamas official claims Israel seeks to eliminate Palestinian presence in Gaza osama hamdan, hamas, israel, gaza, palestinian presence https://www.nationscope.news/news/south-west-monsoon-establishing-over-the-island-we-3ef69037 NationScope en 2026-05-23T01:58:58.324Z South-West Monsoon Establishing Over the Island: Weather Update south-west monsoon, weather update, sri lanka, monsoon season, rainfall alert https://www.nationscope.news/news/man-48-from-dharga-town-murdered-following-dispute-6b82c417 NationScope en 2026-05-23T01:57:38.624Z Man, 48, from Dharga Town murdered following dispute dharga town, walipenna police, sri lanka, violent crime, murder case https://www.nationscope.news/news/lpl-2026-fourteen-pre-signed-players-announced-ahe-a8955259 NationScope en 2026-05-23T01:55:56.724Z LPL 2026: Fourteen Pre-signed Players Announced Ahead of Draft lanka premier league, dambulla sixers, kandy royals, galle gallants, jaffna kings https://www.nationscope.news/news/man-posing-as-ngo-official-arrested-over-canada-jo-9d2c4cb6 NationScope en 2026-05-23T01:55:02.524Z Man posing as NGO official arrested over Canada job racket sri lanka bureau of foreign employment, eastern province, canada job racket, job scams, youth employment https://www.nationscope.news/news/thambugala-cleared-in-alleged-helicopter-deal-frau-de9e5ea8 NationScope en 2026-05-23T01:53:31.925Z Thambugala cleared in alleged helicopter deal fraud case thambugala, sri lanka, fraud case, helicopter deal, attorney general https://www.nationscope.news/news/states-fail-to-reach-consensus-on-nuclear-nonproli-69a207b3 NationScope en 2026-05-23T01:49:59.824Z States fail to reach consensus on nuclear nonproliferation goals at UN conference united nations, nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, international relations, global security https://www.nationscope.news/news/trump-claims-us-recovered-iran-war-costs-through-v-788259a5 NationScope en 2026-05-23T00:40:57.924Z Trump claims US recovered Iran war costs through Venezuelan oil donald trump, venezuela, iran war, us politics, oil profits https://www.nationscope.news/news/foreign-students-and-workers-required-to-leave-the-8f0e0934 NationScope en 2026-05-23T00:29:37.046Z Foreign students and workers required to leave the US to apply for Green Cards trump administration, green card, foreign students, united states, visa policy https://www.nationscope.news/news/israeli-airstrikes-target-eastern-lebanon-close-to-e73116b8 NationScope en 2026-05-23T00:28:22.624Z Israeli Airstrikes Target Eastern Lebanon Close to Syrian Border israel, lebanon, syrian border, air strikes, military conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/iran-informs-un-chief-of-us-demands-obstructing-pe-1123caf0 NationScope en 2026-05-23T00:24:17.647Z Iran informs UN chief of US demands obstructing peace talks abbas araghchi, antonio guterres, united nations, united states, middle east https://www.nationscope.news/news/qatar-and-saudi-arabia-support-de-escalation-effor-4391ddee NationScope en 2026-05-23T00:22:52.224Z Qatar and Saudi Arabia support de-escalation efforts in Iran-US negotiations qatar, saudi arabia, iran, united states, foreign relations https://www.nationscope.news/news/us-lawmaker-proposes-suspension-of-fuel-tax-due-to-4dbc6b4c NationScope en 2026-05-23T00:21:35.124Z US lawmaker proposes suspension of fuel tax due to rising prices mark levin, gasoline tax, california, united states, fuel prices https://www.nationscope.news/news/iran-says-ending-war-and-lifting-us-blockade-are-p-79ca31e8 NationScope en 2026-05-22T21:07:34.824Z Iran says ending war and lifting US blockade are priorities in talks iran, united states, striat of hormuz, peace talks, us blockade https://www.nationscope.news/news/bipartisan-all-female-senate-delegation-departs-fo-af2c77a6 NationScope en 2026-05-22T20:50:18.024Z Bipartisan all-female Senate delegation departs for High North amid military tensions bipartisan delegation, us senators, arctic security, military tensions, high north https://www.nationscope.news/news/iran-has-destroyed-20-percent-of-the-uss-mq-9-reap-ed3e7b77 NationScope en 2026-05-22T20:46:36.524Z Iran has destroyed 20 percent of the US's MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet, report states iran, mq-9 reaper, us military, drone warfare, defense spending https://www.nationscope.news/news/rubio-increases-pressure-on-nato-during-crucial-su-5dfba69b NationScope en 2026-05-22T20:30:01.524Z Rubio increases pressure on NATO during crucial summit marco rubio, nato, united states, military alliances, operation epic fury https://www.nationscope.news/news/trump-misses-sons-wedding-due-to-iran-and-other-th-2ad01ef2 NationScope en 2026-05-22T20:12:13.524Z Trump misses son's wedding due to 'Iran and other things' donald trump, donald trump jr, bettina anderson, bahamas, iran https://www.nationscope.news/news/house-republicans-cancel-war-powers-vote-aimed-at--1a63dfa3 NationScope en 2026-05-22T19:53:01.771Z House Republicans cancel war powers vote aimed at limiting Trump house of representatives, donald trump, war powers act, iran, republican party https://www.nationscope.news/news/palestine-welcomes-pressure-from-nine-countries-on-bf6caa1c NationScope en 2026-05-22T19:34:04.624Z Palestine welcomes pressure from nine countries on Israel over illegal settlements palestine, israel, occupied west bank, international pressure, settlement expansion https://www.nationscope.news/news/us-marine-corps-tests-helicopter-as-mobile-drone-c-27f9a154 NationScope en 2026-05-22T19:22:58.024Z U.S. Marine Corps tests helicopter as mobile drone command centre u.s. marine corps, uh-1y venom, southern california, drone technology, military aviation https://www.nationscope.news/news/tulsi-gabbard-resigns-as-director-of-national-inte-0f96747d NationScope en 2026-05-22T19:18:04.923Z Tulsi Gabbard resigns as director of national intelligence, sidelined Iran war sceptic departs tulsi gabbard, national intelligence, trump administration, iran war, resignation news https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-western-nations-demand-israel-halt-settlement-expansion-amid-rising-tensions NationScope en 2026-05-22T18:42:07.024Z Western Nations Demand Israel Halt Settlement Expansion Amid Rising Tensions uk government, german government, italian government, french government, israel https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-libya-and-syrias-historic-military-exercise-marks-new-regional-dynamics NationScope en 2026-05-22T18:40:42.524Z Libya and Syria's Historic Military Exercise Marks New Regional Dynamics libya, syria, turkey, efes-2026, military exercise https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-escalation-at-al-aqsa-recent-incursion-heightens-tensions-in-jerusalem NationScope en 2026-05-22T18:39:27.024Z Escalation at Al-Aqsa: Recent Incursion Heightens Tensions in Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque, israeli settlers, jerusalem, israel, middle east conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/media-coverage-of-the-iran-war-exhibits-absurditie-9b52c0eb NationScope en 2026-05-22T18:01:43.852Z Media Coverage of the Iran War Exhibits Absurdities iran war, baby shah, media coverage, propaganda, middle east https://www.nationscope.news/news/world-central-kitchen-reduces-gaza-meal-distributi-6edc01e8 NationScope en 2026-05-22T17:59:27.824Z World Central Kitchen reduces Gaza meal distribution due to rising costs from Iran war world central kitchen, gaza, iran war, humanitarian aid, food security https://www.nationscope.news/news/fifa-world-cup-2026-the-most-exclusionary-tourname-7fb14f9b NationScope en 2026-05-22T17:57:50.624Z Fifa World Cup 2026: The Most Exclusionary Tournament in History fifa world cup, 2026 world cup, united states, canada, mexico https://www.nationscope.news/news/six-israeli-settlers-enter-al-aqsa-mosque-after-at-add93670 NationScope en 2026-05-22T16:13:09.324Z Six Israeli settlers enter Al-Aqsa mosque after attacking guards al-aqsa mosque, israeli settlers, jerusalem, israel, middle east conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-san-diego-mosque-attack-sparks-global-outcry-amid-rising-islamophobia NationScope en 2026-05-22T15:37:07.324Z San Diego Mosque Attack Sparks Global Outcry Amid Rising Islamophobia san diego, muslim community, islamic center of san diego, hate crime, gun violence https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-tensions-escalate-as-israel-deport-activists-and-air-strikes-breach-ceasefire NationScope en 2026-05-22T15:35:42.324Z Tensions Escalate as Israel Deport Activists and Air Strikes Breach Ceasefire gaza, gaza government media office, humanitarian aid, commercial trucks, middle east conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/deep-ussocom-adopts-cutting-edge-biometric-system-amidst-evolving-military-technology NationScope en 2026-05-22T15:34:41.024Z USSOCOM Adopts Cutting-Edge Biometric System Amidst Evolving Military Technology Landscape u.s. special operations command, reveal technology, biometric identification, military technology, battlefield innovations https://www.nationscope.news/news/libya-and-syria-participate-in-turkeys-efes-2026-m-b3ec78a9 NationScope en 2026-05-22T15:33:45.627Z Libya and Syria participate in Turkey’s EFES-2026 military exercise for the first time libya, syria, turkey, efes-2026, military exercise https://www.nationscope.news/news/uk-germany-italy-france-urge-israel-to-halt-settle-08426aeb NationScope en 2026-05-22T15:25:05.324Z UK, Germany, Italy, France urge Israel to halt settlement expansion in occupied West Bank uk government, german government, italian government, french government, israel https://www.nationscope.news/news/israel-to-deport-all-foreign-activists-seized-from-0351e331 NationScope en 2026-05-22T14:16:48.819Z Israel to Deport All Foreign Activists Seized from Gaza-Bound Flotilla israel, gaza, flotilla, foreign activists, blockade https://www.nationscope.news/news/israel-conducts-air-strike-killing-four-in-souther-64021ddf NationScope en 2026-05-22T13:51:43.175Z Israel conducts air strike, killing four in southern Lebanon israel, lebanon, hanouiyeh, middle east conflict, air strike https://www.nationscope.news/news/first-defence-critical-infrastructure-summit-aims--3b353fac NationScope en 2026-05-22T13:51:33.024Z First Defence Critical Infrastructure Summit Aims to Develop Repeatable Playbook us army, defence critical infrastructure, tabletop exercise, military strategy, national security https://www.nationscope.news/news/us-special-operations-command-adopts-new-battlefie-ab29bc4d NationScope en 2026-05-22T13:17:09.122Z U.S. Special Operations Command adopts new battlefield biometrics system u.s. special operations command, reveal technology, biometric identification, military technology, battlefield innovations https://www.nationscope.news/news/only-30-percent-of-the-projected-number-of-trucks--f9fccfa4 NationScope en 2026-05-22T13:08:55.224Z Only 30 percent of the projected number of trucks entered Gaza this week gaza, gaza government media office, humanitarian aid, commercial trucks, middle east conflict https://www.nationscope.news/news/san-diegos-muslims-cope-with-aftermath-of-deadly-s-79dc62f8 NationScope en 2026-05-22T13:07:42.824Z San Diego's Muslims cope with aftermath of deadly shooting at mosque san diego, muslim community, islamic center of san diego, hate crime, gun violence https://www.nationscope.news/news/palestinian-health-minister-signals-risk-of-health-0994e94c NationScope en 2026-05-22T13:04:09.224Z Palestinian Health Minister signals risk of healthcare system collapse majid abu ramadan, world health assembly, gaza healthcare, west bank, palestinian territories https://www.nationscope.news/news/sadiq-khan-cancels-50m-met-police-contract-with-pa-915b5f05 NationScope en 2026-05-22T12:05:40.024Z Sadiq Khan cancels £50m Met police contract with Palantir amid calls to end all AI firm links sadiq khan, palantir, metropolitan police, london, uk https://www.nationscope.news/news/lebanons-talks-with-israel-test-fragile-relationsh-ffbf9d64 NationScope en 2026-05-22T11:48:26.096Z Lebanon’s talks with Israel test fragile relationship with Syria lebanon, israel, syria, middle east, diplomatic relations