Qatar to join US visa-free travel list in first for Arab country Qatar is set to become the second Middle Eastern country, behind Israel, to join the US Visa Waiver Program. Qatar
Trump posts letter from Palestinian president ahead of Netanyahu meeting Former President Donald Trump said it was “so nice” of the Palestinian president to send the letter after the recent assassination attempt, calling him by his first name Mahmoud. Palestine
Protests, Kamala Harris rise overshadow Netanyahu's Washington visit Leaving for Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that in his speech to Congress he will seek to reaffirm the strong bond between Israel and the United States, regardless of the political uncertainty there. Israel
Trump adds to Gulf portfolio with Dubai tower deal The Trump Organization and Dar Global have unveiled a new development, adding to others in Oman and Saudi Arabia this year. United Arab Emirates
Meet J.D. Vance, Trump’s VP pick: Hawk on Israel, critic of foreign aid By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Middle East tumult to put Biden on defense in first Trump debate By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Intel: State Department official 'tried to bully' watchdog reviewing Saudi arms sale The independent watchdog ousted by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that a high-ranking State Department official “tried to bully” him in part because of his review of last year’s emergency arms sale for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu’s dilemma over his annexation plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must now decide whether he wants to go ahead with his annexation plan, or hope that the White House will get him out of it. Palestine
China apparently left out of Israel's 5G network tender The first phase of the tender for building the 5G wireless network in Israel has passed its deadline, with Chinese bidders apparently left out. Israel
Jordan Valley Palestinians watch as Israel imposes authority ahead of looming annexation Israel has intensified its measures in West Bank areas facing the threat of annexation at a time when Palestinians feel the imminence of the annexation project more than ever. Palestine
Intel: House Middle East panel chairman questions Trump’s commitment to two-state solution The chairman of the House’s Middle East panel questioned the Donald Trump administration’s stated commitment to a two-state solution during a Zoom interview with the Israel Policy Forum today. Palestine
Iran officials weigh in on US protests In today's Iran media review, Iranian officials have called out the United States over its response to peaceful protests. United States
Netanyahu says Palestinians must ‘consent’ to Israeli security control The Israeli prime minister also discussed Palestinian citizenship and his critics on the right in an interview with Israel Hayom. Palestine
Intel: Trump administration pursues new Saudi arms deal despite investigation The Donald Trump administration is doubling down with a new arms deal for Saudi Arabia despite an investigation into last year’s $8 billion emergency weapons sale to Riyadh, a key Senate Democrat revealed in a CNN op-ed Wednesday. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump administration defended Iran nuclear waivers as 'restrictions,' then ended them The Donald Trump administration ended sanctions waivers on Iranian nuclear facilities today — a mere two months after characterizing them as “restrictions” on Iran’s nuclear program. Russia
Is Turkey on moderation path in its foreign policy? Conciliatory messages coming out of Ankara recently may appear as an effort to moderate Turkish foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States, Europe and Israel, but they are likely to be just maneuvering to weather the many stalemates in Turkey's foreign ties. Egypt
Intel: Palestinian Authority to suspend cooperation with CIA over US support for Israeli annexation The secretary-general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, says his government has suspended its contacts with the CIA over the Trump administration’s support for Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Intel: Biden warns against West Bank annexation as Israel lobbies Trump for green light Former Vice President Joe Biden told campaign donors today that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would “choke off any hope for peace,” according to a transcript of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s remarks seen by Al-Monitor. Palestine