Analysis Israel concerned Iran trying to buy time but sees US strikes as still possible “We don’t yet know what happened there and hope that the Iranians didn’t string the American team along in order to buy time. The gaps between the sides are enormous and cannot be bridged," a senior Israeli official told Al-Monitor. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
On first Horn of Africa trip in 10 years, Erdogan cautions Ethiopia over Somaliland Turkey opposes Somaliland's recognition to protect its strategic military foothold in Mogadishu and the Red Sea. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Ethiopia amid tensions over Horn of Africa The Turkish leader is expected to raise Ankara’s concerns over Somalia’s territorial integrity while discussing ways to deepen bilateral ties with Addis Ababa. Turkey
Saudi-UAE rift complicates Israel's counter-Iran efforts, normalization Israel fears that the rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will further push Riyadh toward countries that espouse political Islam policies. Israel
Analysis Turkey courts Saudi Arabia on Kaan, but stealth fighter deal faces hurdles By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Why Trump is betting on military leaders for Iran negotiations By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Russia weighs in on Bannon-free White House Analysts examine what foreign policy changes Washington might make concerning the Mideast now that Steve Bannon is gone, and what that could mean for Moscow. Syria
How AKP supporters learned to live with Assad Having vilified President Bashar al-Assad for years, President Erdogan and his supporters are backing off their previous threats against the Syrian president with the growth of Kurdish groups in Syria. Syria
Israel takes stock of Putin’s pull with Iran There’s a flurry of positioning as Iran, Russia, the United States and Israel all want assurances about the future balance of power in Syria. Israel
Will Zarif, Tillerson meet for session on nuclear deal? A possible Iranian request for a meeting about the nuclear deal would set up the first talk between the Iranian and American foreign ministers since the election of President Donald Trump. United States
Moscow, Cairo discuss boosting ties Representatives of Russia and Egypt seemed pleased with the outcome of their meetings this week, as they touched base on current regional developments and talked through their perspectives. Qatar
What Iran-Qatar reset means for Syria Iran adds another “Sunni” power to its regional network; Turkey ponders next moves in Idlib; Israel presents the “big picture” on Iran in Washington and Sochi, Russia; Akiva Eldar on Israel’s silence over Charlottesville. Saudi Arabia
Reality disrupts Turkey's dream-team triad Iran and Iraq show no inclination to join Turkey's potential operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
US, UK join Lebanon's strange military bedfellows The Lebanese army has been under-equipped for decades, so it must now coordinate with Hezbollah and the Syrian army in its offensive against Islamic militants on the border and with assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom. Lebanon
Turkish military upheaval continues at top levels Recent shake-ups at senior levels of the Turkish military indicate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is placing his trust squarely with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar. Syria
Netanyahu raising alarm on Iran, again Israel has told US and Russian officials that Iran’s long-term strategies and its missile capabilities endanger the region. Saudi Arabia
Israel, Hamas, Egypt indirectly cooperating against IS While Egypt and Hamas coordinate efforts against the Islamic State in the Sinai Peninsula, Israel is providing intelligence to Egypt to boost these efforts. Palestine
Iran army chief's Turkey tour ends in promises of military cooperation Regional rivals Turkey and Iran are exchanging visits by top officials, brought together by deeply ingrained fears that Western powers are covertly egging on their respective Kurdish populations to weaken and dismember them. Syria
