Analysis What Syria and Israel’s new communications cell really signals The deal reached in Paris under US mediation reflects a rare step toward managing tensions but stops short of halting Israeli military strikes or producing a broader security pact. By Rosaleen Carroll , Rina Bassist
Syria foils major arms smuggling attempt to Lebanon: What we know Syrian authorities have stepped up operations targeting smuggling attempts mainly destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon since the fall of President Bashar al‑Assad’s regime last year. Syria
Ankara open to US mediation role in Turkey-Greece row with conditions: Source A Turkish source told Al-Monitor that Ankara could be receptive to the idea of the US playing a role in easing tensions with Greece. Turkey
Analysis Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long? The US blocked Israel from widening its strikes on Hezbollah this week, yet another flare-up in their enduring conflict seems likely despite first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As it prepares for Hezbollah’s retaliation, Israel anticipates limited fighting in Lebanon By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Trump pursues Israeli-Syrian security pact with Sharaa, larger US military footprint By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Referendum rift unlikely to damage US-KRG ties As the date for an independence referendum scheduled by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq approaches, the United States increases pressure on the Kurdish parties to postpone the referendum. Iraq
What Trump really wants for the Mideast The unrealistic statements by US envoy Jason Greenblatt about the Palestinian Authority's ruling the Gaza Strip again might indicate that US President Donald Trump does not have a realistic plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Palestinians want to be called ‘state under occupation’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing a UN resolution proposal that will change the definition of “Palestinian territories under occupation” into “a Palestinian state under occupation.” Palestine
Will Palestinians shift strategy to include UN? The Palestinians appear to have started a serious rethink of their national strategy, but it is crucial that they understand both the potential and the limitations that going the United Nations route will provide. Palestine
Netanyahu, a gift to Israel's enemies By perpetuating the occupation and the settlement enterprise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is impairing the dreams of a Zionist state in Israel. Palestine
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
