With bases scattered across the Middle East, the United States has had an established presence in the region for decades. 40 to 50,000 troops are stationed there, across eight permanent bases and several temporary sites. The biggest site is the one targeted by Iran in a missile launch on Monday - the Al Udeid base in Qatar.

Doha

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

The United States maintains a significant military presence in the Middle East, with 40,000 to 50,000 troops stationed across eight permanent bases and several temporary sites. The Al Udeid base in Qatar, hosting about 10,000 personnel and serving as the headquarters for U.S. Central Command, is the largest U.S. base in the region and was recently targeted by an Iranian missile launch.

Al Udeid has been pivotal in operations across Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and the fight against ISIS. U.S. bases in the region, including those in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, are all within striking distance of Iran, which has stated its willingness to target these facilities. Iranian-backed groups, such as the Houthis in Yemen, also pose a threat to U.S. positions in the area.

The importance of U.S. base in Qatar targeted by Iran

naval, land, air and logistical bases. The United States maintains eight permanent military bases in the Middle East, along with several temporary sites. In total, 40,000 to 50,000 American troops are stationed in the region, a presence that has lasted for decades. About 10,000 are based in Qatar, at Al Udeid, the largest military base in the region. It serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Central Command. Established in 1996, it covers 14 hectares and hosts around 100 aircraft and drones. The base has played a key role in operations across Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and the fight against ISIS. In Bahrain, the naval support activity hosts 9,000 personnel. It's home to the U.S. 5th Fleet and serves as a major logistics, supply and command hub. The Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates focuses on reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and support for aerial combat operations. It hosts advanced aircraft and various surveillance planes. In Iraq, the Erbil Air Base is used by U.S. forces for air operations, especially in northern Iraq and Syria, where troops advise Kurdish and Iraqi forces. The U.S. military presence in the Middle East is thus extensive, with some bases located just a few hundred kilometers from Iranian territory. All of their bases are within our reach and we will not hesitate to target them in the host countries. In some places, crossing the Persian Gulf is enough for Iran to reach American bases. It could also rely on one of its most active proxies in the region, the Houthis in Yemen. Armed by Tehran, they regularly strike Israel and U.S. positions in the area.

Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler whose real name was Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Clearwater

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at the age of 71, WWE says

At least 12 were killed as a Thai-Cambodian border dispute escalated into deadly clashes on Thursday (July 24).

Surin

Thailand bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates

According to preliminary data, 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.

Tynda

Passenger plane crashes in Russia, killing all 49 people on board

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died, World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement on social media. He was 71. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.

Hulk Hogan dies at 71, WWE says

The Wall Street Journal reports that former Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appeared in the Epstein files. The White House denies wrongdoing.

Washington

Report: Trump was briefed on mentions in Epstein files

Columbia University will pay $200 million to resolve federal claims it failed to stop harassment of Jewish students during campus protests. The Trump administration had suspended the school's access to $400 million in funding.

New York

Columbia settles for $200 million over antisemitism claims

Israel issued a statement indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Gaza negotiating team to return to Israel for ceasefire talks. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Israel brings back Gaza negotiating team for ceasefire 'consultations'

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”

Columbia University to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump

There are several developments in the cases involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant in ICE custody whom the Trump administration wrongly deported. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman reports.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain detained following new court orders

Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his 2023 overdose. He is the fourth person to plead guilty in the case and faces up to 40 years in prison.

Los Angeles

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While both sides acknowledged progress on humanitarian issues, talks on a full ceasefire remain stalled. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for "result-oriented negotiations" to end the devastating war.

Istanbul

Ukraine Invasion

Russia and Ukraine conclude third round of peace talks in Istanbul

A passenger plane has crashed in southeastern Russia with up to 49 people onboard. Emergency services say the An-24 aircraft took off from the city of Khabarovsk and was heading to the town of Tynda. Wreckage was found on a mountainside around 15 kilometres from the flight's intended destination.

Russian passenger plane with 49 on board crashes

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to retain the independence of anti-corruption agencies, bowing to pressure from the first wartime street protests and rare rebukes from European allies.

Kyiv

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U.S. President Donald Trump's name is among the many appearing in the Epstein files, according to the Wall Street Journal, and he was told as much earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department.

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Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the doctor accused of supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine in the month leading up to his death, has pleaded guilty to four counts  of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is the fourth of the five people charged in connection with Perry's death to plead guilty.

California

Doctor accused of supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry pleads guilty

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners following the latest round of talks in Istanbul. The swap, involving dozens of soldiers — some severely wounded and held since the war’s start in 2022 — took place on Wednesday night. While the prisoner exchange marks a rare point of agreement, both delegations remain divided on ceasefire terms.

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After reviewing the Epstein files, Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appears alongside many others, according to a new report in the Wall Street Journal. CNN’s Paula Reid details what we know.

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A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release as a second judge barred ICE from taking him into custody. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.

Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release

A judge on Wednesday (July 23) sentenced Bryan Kohberger to four life sentences without the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Boise

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison

House Speaker Mike Johnson is sending lawmakers home early for their August recess amid a continued push to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Taurean Small has the latest.

Speaker Johnson sends House lawmakers home early

Venezuela Attorney General Tarek Saab's office will investigate El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and two other officials for the alleged abuse of Venezuelans who were detained in the Central American country.

Caracas

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U.S. President Donald Trump touted new trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines ahead of his looming August 1 global tariff deadline. CBS News' Natalie Brand has the latest from the White House.

Global Tariffs

Trump touts new trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, Philippines

As Bryan Kohberger faces sentencing for the University of Idaho murders, families and investigators are breaking their silence. The gag order has been lifted, prompting emotional impact statements and new revelations from officials involved in the case.

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U.S. President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of "treason" on Tuesday, accusing him, without providing evidence, of leading an effort to falsely tie him to Russia and undermine his 2016 presidential campaign.

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President Donald Trump announced a long-awaited trade agreement with Japan on Tuesday night, a framework between the allies and major trading partners that appeared elusive just weeks ago.

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The Syrian defense ministry said it was aware of reports of "shocking violations" by people wearing military fatigues in the country's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, and said it would launch an investigation. That came after fighting between Druze militia and government forces sent to the city to quell the unrest has led to hundreds of people killed.

As Suwayda

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The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee changed its eligibility rules on Monday, effectively barring transgender women from competing in Olympic women's sports. CBS News correspondent Elise Preston has more.

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President Donald Trump says he's reached a trade deal with Japan that will set tariffs on Japanese imports at 15% and see Japan invest $550 billion into the U.S.

Trump says he's reached trade deal with Japan

Photos from Trump’s 1993 wedding and video footage from 1999 Victoria’s Secret fashion show shed light on the Trump-Epstein relationship.

The importance of U.S. base in Qatar targeted by Iran

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