Iran talks, Gaza war set to dominate Netanyahu-Trump meeting President Donald Trump is set to host Prime minister benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where they are expected to focus on Iran as well as Gaza ceasefire talks. Israel
From strikes to strategy: Netanyahu seeks cover — and credit — in Trump meeting The Israeli prime minister arrives at the White House victorious after Trump's decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites, his trial dates postponed, and Gaza on the radar. Israel
Cautious optimism around Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal but hurdles remain The latest Qatari outline is based on a previous US proposal and has Israel somewhat hopeful for a deal with Hamas. Palestine
Analysis Israel-Syria peace push mulls US troops by Golan, ‘reformulating’ armistice agreement With the difficulty of negotiating the Golan Heights, Israel and Syria are considering something less than a peace treaty and full normalization. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos? By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Analysis How Trump’s call to end Netanyahu’s trial is linked to broader Gaza deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Shiite factions close to Sistani move to separate from Iran-backed militias Brigades close to top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani announced the formation of a mobilization force affiliated with the chief of staff of the Iraqi armed forces, rather than Iran. Iraq
Turkish government voices support for Afghan peace process The head of Afghanistan's peace negotiations with the Taliban visited Ankara on Thursday as talks continue in Doha. Qatar
Will Sudan hand over Islamists to Egypt? During a recent meeting, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, discussed the handover of members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood to Cairo. Egypt
Syrian extremist group in Idlib breaks with jihadist ideologue When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was first established, it taught its members the approach of prominent jihadist ideologue Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, but it has now severed ties with him and recanted his ideology. Syria
Iraqi militias defy government, expand networks and pressure Militias in Iraq are increasing their activities in response to the government's efforts to rein them in. Iraq
US drone strike kills two suspected al-Qaeda officials in Idlib The strike is believed to have killed a former member of Huras al-Din's Shura Council and a security official. Syria
Iraqi cleric pushes for elections, new social contract, in support of prime minister Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraqioun parliamentary bloc and Hikma movement, is seeking to chart a nonsectarian alternative to the existing political structure. Iraq
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Baghdad, Erbil reach security, administrative agreement on Sinjar district The deal will address major security and structural obstacles, but local communities criticize the accord for failing to bring their people to the table. Iraq
Assad accuses Turkey of instigating Nagorno-Karabakh conflict The hostilities have killed hundreds of people since late September. Syria
Did Erdogan approve Azerbaijan escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh? The Turkish president is the author of a militarized regional policy that now stretches from the Caucuses to Libya. Iraq
Are Turkey's Salafi groups taking up arms? Reports of increasing private armament among Turkey's Salafi groups have fueled concerns over social peace in Turkey where polarization is rife. Turkey
