Analysis Three years after Oct. 7, Hamas’ grip on Gaza tests Netanyahu’s ‘total victory’ Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that Hamas remains active, with the group estimated to have about 30,000 armed fighters, roughly the same as its estimated strength before the attack. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump’s integration policies build on Gulf, Turkey ties and Syria success Iran’s influence, and the potential for renewed conflict, complicate progress in Iraq. Iraq
Analysis How FlyDubai attack exposes gaps in Israel-UAE security ties Israeli officials believe the FlyDubai incident could strain Israel-UAE relations but is unlikely to undermine long-term security cooperation between the two countries. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Interview Ex-PM says Sudan risks partition amid US ceasefire push Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also called for the United States to impose sanctions that would carry “personal consequences” for the warring sides.
Analysis Despite fanfare, Xi shows Trump no sign of breaking with Iran By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Could Iran's 7-day Hormuz proposal culminate in diplomatic deal? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Can Netanyahu turn Israel's UN isolation into strength at home? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Democrats clash over resolution calling for two-state solution Democratic leaders and members are bickering over a resolution meant to reaffirm Washington’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Congress struggles to sanction Saudis for Khashoggi murder Faced with opposition from the White House and Senate Republican leadership, Congress is struggling to pass Saudi sanctions legislation. Saudi Arabia
Republicans push tepid Trump to sanction Turkey After huddling with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Republican senators tell Al-Monitor that the president isn’t keen on sanctioning Turkey. Turkey
Intel: Why 5 Democratic presidential hopefuls just rebelled against Trump’s new defense secretary An overwhelming bipartisan majority of the Senate voted 90-8 Tuesday to confirm former Army Secretary Mark Esper as President Donald Trump’s new defense secretary. Saudi Arabia
Israelis are Trump's biggest fans President Donald Trump faces growing criticism in the United States over his anti-immigrant approach, but in Israel he is considered a hero. Israel
Intel: US drone shootdown sparks more Gulf tension US President Donald Trump said today that the United States destroyed an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 yards of an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense officials told CNN the drone was brought down today by electronic jamming. Iraq
Intel: US boots Turkey from F-35 program after Russian arms deal The Donald Trump administration said today it would formally kick Turkey out of the F-35 program after Ankara took delivery of a Russian air defense system that could threaten the American fighter’s stealth capabilities. Turkey
Will Erdogan risk an operation in Syria? Turkish media reports suggest that an incursion by the Turkish army east of the Euphrates is imminent. Syria
EU, Iran try to stand ground against Trump’s sanctions The countries working to save the Iranian nuclear deal have various reasons for doing so, and one could be concern that US President Donald Trump’s unilateral decisions won’t stop with Tehran. United States
Ilhan Omar seizes spotlight to push pro-BDS resolution Rep. Ilhan Omar plans to introduce a pro-BDS resolution days after President Donald Trump invoked Israel to defend his racist tweets that put her in the national spotlight. Israel
EU says Iran deal parties trying to salvage deal, not ready to trigger dispute mechanism The remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are not yet prepared to trigger the accord’s dispute-resolution mechanism over Iran’s decision to reduce its compliance to protest crippling US economic sanctions. United States
How Turkey is planning to handle US blowback over S-400s Some parts of the Russian made S-400 missile system arrived in Ankara in the last several days, but none of the shipment included missiles. Turkey