Meet Eli Sharvit, Trump critic and Netanyahu's outsider nominee to lead Shin Bet In a surprise move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated former Israeli naval commander Eli Sharvit to become Shin Bet chief despite his lack of intelligence experience. Israel
How Netanyahu's sacking of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar could backfire on Israel The decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar is likely to further erode Israel’s rule of law and democratic principles. Israel
Tulsi Gabbard grilled about Assad, Iran views at confirmation hearing In her confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard was pressed on her relationship with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and walked back previous statements criticizing Trump's policy choices. United States
Trump's CIA pick warns of Iran nuclear advancements in confirmation hearing In his confirmation hearing, John Ratcliffe spoke about Iran's development of nuclear weapons, evidence of Syria's Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons and the FISA. United States
Lebanese activist sentenced to prison for collaborating with Israel Kinda El-Khatib, a critic of Hezbollah on social media, was sentenced to three years in prison by a military court. Lebanon
Iran makes arrests in nuclear scientist's killing, official says Iranian parliamentary adviser Hossein Amir Abdollahian said some of the "perpetrators" had been identified and arrested. Israel
'They always accuse us': Netanyahu responds to killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Israeli Prime Minister also doesn't deny reports that he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Israel
Iran identifies perpetrators as it probes scientist’s killing The Iranian government said it has identified those linked to the assassination of one of its top nuclear scientists and will retaliate after the investigation is concluded. Iran
US sanctions Syria’s central bank chief, intel head The Trump administration sanctioned more than a dozen Syrian officials and entities in its latest push to choke off the regime's financial network. Syria
Kadhimi follows through on promises to reform Iraq's security sector Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's recent appointments and reforms are likely to face resistance from some political blocs and armed groups who feel they are losing power. Iraq
Intelligence sharing remains key to fight against IS The Islamic State is continuing to carry out guerrilla attacks; developing and maintaining a comprehensive intelligence picture of the group is seen as an important weapon to keep its militants at bay. Iraq
Israel’s top court weighs coronavirus surveillance technology Israel's High Court has held an emergency hearing on the government's use of cyber technologies to track carriers and suspected carriers of the novel coronavirus. Israel
Iraq's Falcon Intelligence Cell wants to root out corruption The head of the Falcon Intelligence Cell, Abu Ali al-Basri, spoke to Al-Monitor about the lingering Islamic State presence in the country and discussed his idea of setting up a similar team to fight corruption. Iraq
Cairo's museum highlights dark history of nation's police force Egypt's National Police Museum in Cairo's Citadel examines the checkered history of an institution once revered for standing up for Egyptians, but in the years since independence has come to be feared and loathed for repression and torture. Egypt
Israeli spyware company accused of hacking activists hires lobby firm Q Cyber Technologies has been sued by Facebook and WhatsApp and is accused of helping Saudi Arabia spy on murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
Iran debates end of confession broadcasts An outspoken Iranian lawmaker is pushing legislation that would abolish the state broadcaster's controversial tradition of airing forced confessions. Iran
