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
Trump budget holds Palestinian aid hostage to progress on peace plan The Donald Trump administration is doubling down on its bid to cut Palestinian aid by tying it to congressional funding for the president’s Middle East peace plan. Palestine
Pentagon slashes funding for Islamic State fight The United States would see a diminished budget in its ability to fight Islamic State militants in 2021 if the new budget revealed by the Trump administration is approved. United States
Europe worries as Trump seems to lose interest in new Iran deal Europeans with embassies on the ground disagree with the belief by Donald Trump administration officials that the Iranian regime is on the brink of collapse, and that the administration can wait for Iran to surrender to a long US wish list. United States
Intel: Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee to attend Trump’s State of the Union address Jamal Khashoggi’s widow will be watching President Donald Trump as he discusses his record in the Middle East at his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday. United States
Trump’s Mideast peace plan puts heat on Biden, Buttigieg ahead of Iowa caucuses Pro-Palestinian activists are urging Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg to push for a cut Israeli military aid in the crucial days before the Iowa caucuses. Palestine
White House sends Congress mixed messages on Iran war votes President Donald Trump told lawmakers to “vote with their hearts” on war powers legislation, but the White House is playing hardball with Republican defectors. Iraq
Rival Palestinian factions unite against US 'deal of century' Hamas and Islamic Jihad officials attended an emergency Palestinian leadership meeting in Ramallah to discuss how to respond to the US administration's peace plan, and another meeting is planned this week in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Intel: Why Russia’s warming ties with Israel may lead Moscow to embrace Trump’s peace plan Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned a young Israeli accused of drug charges ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. The release of Naama Issachar, who had been sentenced to 7½ years in prison, ends a bitter controversy that had plagued relations between the two countries. Palestine
Jordan fears long-term threat to its national security following Trump’s peace plan No sooner had President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East peace plan than Jordan reacted, warning against the dangerous repercussions such deal will have on the kingdom and on the region as a whole. Palestine
Trump peace plan rollout at White House had Mar-A-Lago feel Trump's peace plan, rolled out with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu but with no Palestinians present, would give the Palestinians no border with Jordan. Palestine
Trump, Netanyahu reset election with annexation surprise The unveiling of President Donald Trump’s 'deal of the century' offers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an unprecedented opportunity to secure right-wing votes by announcing that he will annex West Bank settlements. Palestine
US Syria envoy: Any talks on troop withdrawal from Iraq must include all aid US envoy James Jeffrey says the United States wants to see its operations against the Islamic State in Iraq — which have been paused as US and coalition troops focus on protecting themselves in the wake of an escalation between US forces and Iranian-backed groups — resume as soon as possible. Iraq