Syria slams Jordan over crossborder strikes, denies coordination: What to know Jordan said its airstrikes targeted ISIS fighters, while Syria said civilians were killed, sparking outrage. Syria
Explainer As parliament approves, what's driving Egypt's 'defensive' support to Saudi Arabia? Egypt, which has one of the region's largest militaries, is reliant on Saudi investment and ties the kingdom's security to its own. Egypt
Jordan’s King Abdullah calls church shooting ‘terror attack,’ at least 7 killed: What to know Jordan has experienced sporadic violence targeting the Christian community, though attacks of this kind are relatively rare in the kingdom. Jordan
How Israel’s election could shape next phase of Iran war Most of the Israeli prime minister's main rivals in the Oct. 27 election agree that Israel's war to overthrow the Iranian regime should continue, but only he claims to have President Donald Trump's blessing to do so. Israel
US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Upcoming Putin, Trump talks should prove interesting What is the agenda for the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin? Trump wants to talk North Korea, but Moscow is seeking a broader, more in-depth conversation on the Middle East. Syria
Iraq’s intervention may change the equation in Syria's Kurdish regions The closure of the Fish Khabur and Rabia border crossings between Iraq and Syria may jeopardize the Kurdish federal project in northern Syria. Iraq
US sticks by Lebanese army despite Hariri resignation State Department and Defense Department officials tell Al-Monitor that US military assistance is unaffected by Beirut’s latest political crisis. Saudi Arabia
Putin, Khamenei agree they need each other Iran and Russia deepen energy cooperation; Iran has Hezbollah’s back; does the CIA have a back channel to Assad? Iraq
House leaders neuter anti-war Yemen bill House leadership has watered down a resolution addressing US support for the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia
How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa The Syrian regime army took control of Hama’s eastern countryside from the Islamic State, which opened a road toward eastern Syria and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Abadi, Erdogan meet to form Kurdistan game plan Iraq's prime minister met with Turkey's president in Ankara today to solidify joint support for Baghdad as it battles to keep the Kurdistan region under Iraqi control. Iraq
Analysts weigh prospects of Egypt-Israel military exercises Though some analysts believe joint Egyptian-Israeli military exercises won't actually take place given the Egyptian public's opposition to the idea, some Arab and Gulf countries seem to be advancing on a path toward normalization with Israel. Egypt
Why did Saudi Arabia save Yemen's ex-president again? Saudi Arabia has once again rushed to the aid of Yemen's ailing ex-president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, leaving many wondering why the kingdom continues to back the ineffective leader. Saudi Arabia
Russia sandwiched in Syria between Israel, Iran Russia has many irons in the Mideast fire, and it must attend to them all to keep from getting burned. Israel
Turkish deployment may redraw battle lines in Syria's Idlib The Turkish military deployment in Idlib has a direct impact on armed factions in the region, some of which have already accused Turkey of implementing Russia’s plans. Syria