Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea solidify regional alliance amid tensions with Ethiopia The three countries have pledged to deepen cooperation and defend Somalia's sovereignty after their leaders met in Eritrea's capital. Somalia
Israel's cabinet remains uncertain about response to Iran attack The Israeli cabinet adjourned hours before Yom Kippur without a decision on when and how to retaliate for Iran's recent missile barrage. Israel
Pentagon confirms Israel defense chief Gallant's Washington visit postponed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nixed his defense chief's trip as Washington looks for leverage to restrain an Israeli retaliation against Iran that Biden administration officials fear could escalate into a regional war. United States
Analysis As response looms, US tries to dissuade Israel from catastrophic attack on Iran The United States, Saudi Arabia and other regional powers are waiting to see which strike option Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will chose to retaliate against Iran as his defense minister heads to Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How an Israeli retaliation on Iran could impact Gulf energy flow By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Analysis Israel’s four options for retaliating against Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Lebanon invasion: Will Israel stop at Litani River or go beyond? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Bahrain ducks congressional scrutiny over Yemen war Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., had hoped to send a message to the Saudi coalition in Yemen by holding an arms sale to Bahrain hostage. It didn’t work. Saudi Arabia
Is Putin getting serious on Libya? As Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev led the Russian delegation to the Palermo conference on Libya, Moscow spoke of its economic interests in the country but, most importantly, was sending a strong political message to warring factions. Libya
Is this the start of Arab NATO plan? The Arab Nato plan promoted by US President Donald Trump to counter Iranian influence is being recurrently heard among the political quarters of the countries participating in the Arab Shield 1 drills in Egypt. Gulf
Russia sends its own signals on Libya by hosting Hifter Russia's military embraces Khalifa Hifter ahead of intra-Libyan talks in Palermo that kick off today, but does it signal a shift in Moscow's attitude toward the Libyan crisis? United Arab Emirates
Putin pivots to Europe for next play on Syria Russian president intensifies diplomatic push; Erdogan goes "big" to leverage the Khashoggi murder with the Trump administration; Oman emerges as Israeli-Palestinian broker. Oman
Will Iraqis get green light to enter restricted Green Zone? Iraq's new prime minister wants to lift at least some limits on entering Baghdad's Green Zone, but he is likely to face strong opposition from politicians and foreign diplomats there. Iraq
Pentagon braces for leaner Mideast war budget after Democrats win House The Defense Department is preparing for another era of lean budgets after Democrats took control of the House in Tuesday’s elections. Congress
Turkey tests waters for new offensive against YPG Turkey is itching to go on the offensive against Kurdish forces in areas east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria, but the US role in the area continues to act as a deterrence. Syria
Saudi Arabia ignores Trump administration on Yemen US officials have called for confidence-building measures leading up to peace talks for Yemen, but the Saudis don't seem to be listening. Saudi Arabia