Analysis Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists Israel and the United States are tightly coordinated on intelligence, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is apparently in the dark on President Donald Trump's intentions in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis From 'help is on the way' to nuclear talks, Iranians wary of Trump's shift After Trump repeatedly pledged to hold Tehran accountable for its protest crackdown, many Iranians are still waiting for him to make good on his promises. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis As US-Iran talks set to begin, Israel struggles to shape Trump's options With US-Iran scheduled for Friday in Oman, Israel finds itself faced with two opposing options: press Washington to strike Iranian targets, or urge it to insist on a comprehensive deal. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Washington Post cuts 30% of staff, guts foreign desk, Mideast team: What to know Foreign correspondents from the Post have extensively covered wars in Gaza, Ukraine and other global conflict zones. United States
Analysis Despite US assurances, Israel fears being sidelined in partial Iran deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis US, Iran weigh de-escalation declaration as first step of talks By A correspondent in Iran In Iran, reporting on politics
Pentagon budget leaves uncertain future for Middle East President Donald Trump authorized on Monday the Pentagon’s 2019 budget, which will underwrite big upgrades for US weapons systems and troop numbers but leaves an uncertain future for the Pentagon’s operations in the Middle East. Iraq
Khamenei says no talks with current US administration Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not negotiate with the Trump administration. United States
Iran readjusts its Syria strategy amid Russia’s changing role Having achieved military victory in the key southwestern region of Syria, Iran is actively maneuvering to redefine its approach to securing its aims in the war-torn country. Israel
Iran-Iraq tensions rise as Tehran demands war compensation Tensions between Baghdad and Tehran grow after Iraq's prime minister said his country would abide by US sanctions against Iran, while the latter demands compensation for damages in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Iraq
Did Trump’s double-speak ‘blow’ chances of Rouhani meeting? The Iranian and US presidents are slated to address the UN General Assembly on the same day next month — but the prospect of direct talks between the two leaders remains dim given the harsh rhetoric and contradictory stances of the US administration. United States
Mainstream Turkish media turn blind eye to country’s worst currency crisis Although Turkey is suffering one of the worst currency crises in its history, no single mainstream Turkish media outlet has covered the development. Turkey
US game plan on Iran written in Tel Aviv, claim Israeli insiders Israeli sources claim that the actions taken by the Donald Trump administration against the Iranian regime all originate in Tel Aviv. Israel
US hopes new sanctions fuel Iran protests The US administration said it hoped that renewed economic sanctions on Iran going into effect Tuesday will spur Iranian protests and pressure the regime to accept Donald Trump’s offer for talks. United States
How Trump's strong support for Israel harms pro-settler party The settler-friendly US administration is stealing away the agenda of the Israeli national-religious party and depriving it of an important enemy. Palestine
Turkey fumes over US sanctions, vows to retaliate The US sanctions may make the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is at the heart of the current US-Turkey crisis, much harder for Ankara. Turkey
Trump makes good on threat to sanction Turkey The US president is sanctioning two top officials in hopes of pressuring Ankara to release a US pastor, with uncertain results. Turkey
Caution and doubt in Iran as Trump offers direct dialogue In Iran, political heavyweights respond to US President Donald Trump's sudden offer of "unconditional" talks. United States
