Saudi Arabia would 'welcome the chance' to host Trump-Putin summit Trump and Putin are expected to hold a phone call soon, and Gulf leaders are angling for a mediation role between the two. Saudi Arabia
Could Trump’s aid freeze to Lebanon army threaten fragile Israel ceasefire? US funding to Lebanon's armed forces remained in limbo despite the State Department backpedaling on its near-total halt to foreign aid abroad. Lebanon
Tulsi Gabbard grilled about Assad, Iran views at confirmation hearing In her confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard was pressed on her relationship with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and walked back previous statements criticizing Trump's policy choices. United States
Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as envoy visits Saudi Arabia, Israel President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House on Feb. 4, making the Israeli premier the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House in Trump’s second term. United States
Analysis With Trump inaugurated, how will the Republican trifecta reshape Middle East? By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
From State to CIA, here are Trump's key foreign policy, national security appointments US President-elect Donald Trump has been rolling out his picks for key positions in his administration, many of which will impact Middle East relations. United States
Analysis How will Congress' Republican power duo navigate Trump’s Middle East agenda? Sen. John Thune, an institutionalist, will lead Senate Republicans and work alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass the president's policies. By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
Trump hands intel post to Tulsi Gabbard, ex-Democrat with Assad controversy Gabbard, a former congresswoman-turned Trump diehard, is likely to face scrutiny for her secret 2017 meeting with Syria's dictator. Syria
In first since Trump win, nuclear watchdog chief Grossi arrives in Iran for talks As Iran braces for another Trump presidency, which last time saw the dissolution of the Iran nuclear deal, the director of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency holds talks in Tehran regarding the Iranian nuclear program. Iran
From golf to the Gulf: Who is Trump’s new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff? Trump's long-time friend will face a tough job in trying to quell a regional war that has been raging since Oct. 7, 2023, between Israel, Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. United States
After Trump win, Turkey hopeful on Syria reconciliation, US withdrawal Ankara expresses hope for mending ties with Damascus as well as a potential US military exit from northern Syria following Trump’s victory. Turkey
With Rubio as top diplomat, Trump signals hard-line Iran approach The Florida Republican has hawkish views on Iran and is fiercely pro-Israel. United States
Trump picks Mike Huckabee, staunch ally of settlers, as ambassador to Israel “There’s really no such thing as a Palestinian,” Mike Huckabee said in 2008, and he has insisted over the years on referring to the occupied West Bank as Judea and Samaria. Israel
Israel's Smotrich calls for annexation of occupied West Bank: What we know Israeli far-right minister and long-time supporter of Israeli settlements Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that he had ordered preparations for an Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank. Israel
MBS condemns Israel's 'genocide' in Gaza as Saudi frustrations mount Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler has called for the establishment of a Palestinian state following phone calls with US President-elect Donald Trump and Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian last week. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Could Trump’s second term herald new era of US-Saudi arms trade? With Donald Trump back in the White House, US-Saudi defense relations are poised to revert to a more transactional approach, marked by expansive arms deals and a focus on economic and strategic interests. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
US presses charges in alleged Iran IRGC plot to kill Trump: What we know The US Department of Justice unsealed on Friday the details of a criminal case in connection with an IRGC-backed plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump. United States
