Analysis As Trump heads to UAE, tech and trade to dominate agenda, not defense The Emirati official said that the US' easing of sanctions on Syria is “the right thing to do,” but expressed concerns about stability and safety of minorities in the country. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Erdogan thanks Trump for ‘historic’ Syria decision during Sharaa meeting The Turkish president also said his country was ready to support Damascus in the fight against the Islamic State and in maintaining the security of ISIS camps. Turkey
Trump to Syria's Sharaa: Recognize Israel, expel foreign fighters During their 30-minute meeting in Riyadh, the two leaders also discussed combating the Islamic State and future American investment in Syrian oil and gas. Syria
Analysis Trump wants to lift all US sanctions on Syria: Can he? Removing some sanctions on Syria could require congressional action, and one expert warned that rescinding all the measures could decrease the US’ leverage with the new government in Damascus. By Rosaleen Carroll , Adam Lucente
Exclusive Syria's Sharaa pledges to form task force for missing Americans By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
On Iran, US allies fear ‘maximum pressure’ could provoke escalation While Iran continues to comply for now with the 2015 nuclear deal even after the reimposition of US sanctions, European allies fear that the US administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign could eventually lead to war. United States
Why the Rouhani administration must eliminate energy subsidies Despite pressure from lawmakers and the general public, the Rouhani administration must proceed with fuel-subsidy reform in order to relieve itself of avoidable financial burdens. Iran
Asia buoys Iran as US sanctions hit Iran is still selling considerable quantities of oil to China, Japan, India and South Korea thanks to US waivers and other mechanisms to circumvent sanctions. Iraq
Iran says missile tests do not violate UN resolution Iran has denied it violated a UN resolution and said that missile tests would continue. United States
Why US sanctions won’t ‘starve’ Iran of means to pursue its regional policy The Trump administration’s stated aim to “starve” Iran of the financial resources to conduct its regional policy is unlikely to succeed for many reasons, including the fact that Tehran has honed inexpensive hybrid warfare. United States
Iran’s foreign minister criticized for saying ‘we’ll survive’ sanctions An attempt by the Iranian government to create a viral meme declaring the country will “survive” sanctions backfired across the political spectrum. Iran
Iran-Iraq relations in light of US sanctions Rather than undermine ties between Iran and Iraq, the Trump administration’s reimposition of sanctions is compelling Iran to deepen ties with its western neighbor. Iraq
Will Airbnb settlement ban lead other online giants to follow suit? Palestinians are hoping other online giant companies will also boycott Israel and its settlement activities after Airbnb decided to remove its listings from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Palestine
Iranian actors take center stage against US sanctions Iranian artists, particularly those in the film industry, have launched two separate campaigns against the US sanctions, saying the measures will hit the vulnerable and sick. Iran
