US enrichment stance unclear as Vance urges 'meaningful' Iran cuts It's unclear whether Vice President Vance was signaling a retreat from earlier demands of zero enrichment in a final deal or describing preliminary steps Iran would need to take to end the war. Iran
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
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
Israel, US seek to redefine Palestinian refugees Israeli diplomats claim that the UNRWA’s mandate must be revised so that the issue of Palestinian refugees will include only the generation that really lost its home. Palestine
Congress dangles Turkey trade deal as carrot to Trump’s stick Lawmakers are floating a free trade agreement with Turkey as the president doubles steel and aluminum tariffs on Ankara for its ongoing detention of a US pastor. Turkey
Russia, US looking for common ground on Syria US national security adviser John Bolton met in Geneva with Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev to outline the range of issues the two nations can jointly cooperate on. Syria
Is Trump's peace plan stillborn? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are united in an unlikely coalition already opposed to the soon-to-be unveiled US peace plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Palestine
Russia, Turkey seek greater engagement amid US sanctions Russia plans to lift visa requirements for some Turks and to begin delivery of the S-400 missile-defense system to Turkey next year in an attempt to further sway Ankara away from the United States. Turkey
How 'America First' could jump start Iran-Pakistan pipeline project While there are important obstacles in the way of the realization of the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, the Trump administration’s policies amid the rise of Imran Khan could tip the scales in the project's favor. Russia
No opposition to West Bank settlement boom West Bank settlements are enjoying a new era of well-being and calm on all fronts, including the Israeli left who gave up as no one cares to listen. Palestine
Congress ratchets up pressure on Trump, Russia over Syria President Donald Trump wants to work with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to remove Iran from Syria, but Congress remains skeptical. Syria
US outsources Syria aid to Gulf In an apparent win for the Donald Trump administration, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to pick up the tab to stabilize Syria. Saudi Arabia
Sanctions, profiteering put Iranian newspapers in a bind A paper crisis exacerbated by US sanctions is weighing down Iranian daily newspapers, which are resorting to everything from closures to online paywalls. Iran
Is Turkey’s 'strategic partnership' with America coming to an end? An expert maintains that if solutions to the structural factors poisoning ties cannot be found, Turkish-American relations will continue to deteriorate. Turkey
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
