Analysis Despite top-level visits, lingering mistrust overshadows Pakistan-Iran ties Against the backdrop of renewed tensions in South Asia, Iran and Pakistan are navigating a fragile detente shaped by border security concerns, regional rivalries and the prospect of closer economic ties. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Syria-Israel talks reportedly intensify as Trump asks Sharaa to normalize: What to know Following President Donald Trump’s call for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords, multiple contacts have reportedly taken place between Israeli and Syrian officials. Israel
Iranian, Saudi officials in India as more airlines halt service amid Pakistan row Iranian and Saudi officials headed to New Delhi in separate visits following Indian airstrikes in Pakistan that raised fears of war between the neighboring countries. Iran
Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know The Israeli military said it intercepted a large drone carrying rifles and ammunition from Egypt. Egypt
Analysis Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Israel doubts Syria breakthrough as Sharaa signals openness to Abraham Accords By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
For Israeli right, there is no occupation The Israeli government's denial of the occupation has led it to intimidating those who dare acknowledge its existence or use the word "occupation." Palestine
Netanyahu and Kushner's diplomatic masquerade Neither Israeli media nor the Israeli political class showed any interest in the most recent meeting between White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Will Jordan, Palestinians form confederation? Palestinian officials are pushing a plan for enhanced cooperation and confederative ties with Jordan. Palestine
KRG doubles down on independence vote after Baghdad meeting A visit by a Kurdish delegation to Baghdad amid strong regional and international objections to a Kurdish independence referendum failed to convince the Iraqi government of the merits of the vote. Iraq
Residents of Israeli-Arab town anxious about proposed land swap Residents of the Israeli-Arab town Umm al-Fahm fear that Israel will swap them for West Bank settlement bloc. Palestine
Golan residents renounce Israeli plan to hold local elections Israel is proposing to hold elections in the Golan Heights for the first time in its 50-year occupation, but since almost none of the locals are eligible to run for office, they want nothing to do with the idea. Palestine
The occupation at 50: No end in sight for Palestinians The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories will not end until world powers convince Israel that their is an economic and political price to pay for sustaining it. Palestine
3 reasons why partitioning Libya is a bad idea While the Trump administration so far has failed to present a well-defined policy on Libya, the administration seems to be sending mixed signals. Libya
Anger in Ankara over Iraqi Kurdish independence moves Given its close ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government, which it needs for economic, political and security interests, Turkey’s objections to Iraqi Kurdish plans remain low key, but a crisis between the sides may nevertheless be looming. Iraq
What federalism would mean for northern Syria In an interview with Al-Monitor, the new co-chairman of the Syrian Democratic Council, Riad Darar, said that Syrians need to fully understand their interests in this international game to prevent the partition of the country and to build a new system that is more flexible in responding to change. Syria
What role will Crimean Tatars play in Russian-Turkish relations? Observers wonder just how far Turkey is willing to stick out its neck to support Crimean Tatars during its quest to further reconcile with Russia. Turkey
Polisario seeks to keep Sahara dispute in spotlight By withdrawing from a Western Sahara neutral area, Morocco is courting the new UN secretary-general while getting rid of the attention the tense situation has brought to the Western Sahara plight. Mauritania
