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
Sanders runs to left of J Street and 2020 opponents on aid to Israel Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is calling for broad conditions on US military aid to Israel as many of his opponents come out in favor of more limited restrictions. Palestine
Have Iran, US slammed door on nuclear negotiations? Iran and the United States both have upcoming elections and other urgent domestic issues to focus on, and neither seems interested in cooperating on nuclear talks. United States
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
2020 Democrats bash Trump for Iran crisis While one Democratic presidential candidate calls Trump's Iran policy reckless and another says the only reason there is a crisis is because of Trump, there are questions as to whether the issue will resonate with voters if no war takes place. United States
Netanyahu gambles on Trump against Iran Israel supports the American intention of increasing sanctions against Iran, though pushing Iran against the wall could fire up the Hezbollah front against Israel in Syria. Palestine
Debate already heating up in Iran as Sanders runs for US president The announcement by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders that he will again run for US president is already triggering a heated debate in Iran over the future of Tehran-Washington ties. Iran
Netanyahu’s policy drives away young American Jews The strategy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bank on President Donald Trump keeps alienating many American Jews. Israel
Israeli right fears new Congress For the next two years, Israeli settlers and their right-wing supporters will no longer enjoy unlimited access to the House of Representatives. Palestine
Pentagon braces for leaner Mideast war budget after Democrats win House The Defense Department is preparing for another era of lean budgets after Democrats took control of the House in Tuesday’s elections. Congress
Midterms revamp Middle East policymaking in Congress Tuesday’s elections will re-order the committees in charge of foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Iran says not pinning hopes on Dems winning midterms Despite Democrats winning the US midterm vote, Iran says it makes no difference who takes over Congress, citing decadeslong hostility by Democrats and Republicans alike. United States
