Headlines:

• The Lebanese Armed Forces started deploying troops to areas in south Lebanon formerly held by the IDF.
• The Iran-backed Houthis sent an email blast to shipping companies warning them not to load or offload cargo at Saudi ports.
• Hamas announced the election of Khalil al-Hayya as its new leader, replacing the late Yahya Sinwar who was killed back in October 2024.
• The Wall Street Journal reports that Saudi Arabia has been granted approval by Donald Trump to begin operating a civilian nuclear reactor. 

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FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with Alexandria Paolozzi Moore, senior director of government relations at FDD Action.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief