Analysis Corruption trial, ICC warrant: Why Netanyahu will stay in politics even if he loses Netanyahu stands to lose more than the premiership. His criminal corruption trial and the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him are also at stake. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
US issues travel advisories across Middle East citing Houthi threat A State Department spokesperson said the travel warnings were "not indicative" of new Houthi capabilities. Yemen
Analysis How Netanyahu could attack Iran to force Israel into unity government after elections While a strike against Iran before the Oct. 27 elections appears unlikely, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could launch one immediately afterward to pressure his rivals into joining a wartime unity government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless." By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Iran and Gaza: Why Trump's backing of Netanyahu may come with strings attached By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Trump, Netanyahu reset election with annexation surprise The unveiling of President Donald Trump’s 'deal of the century' offers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an unprecedented opportunity to secure right-wing votes by announcing that he will annex West Bank settlements. Palestine
US Syria envoy: Any talks on troop withdrawal from Iraq must include all aid US envoy James Jeffrey says the United States wants to see its operations against the Islamic State in Iraq — which have been paused as US and coalition troops focus on protecting themselves in the wake of an escalation between US forces and Iranian-backed groups — resume as soon as possible. Iraq
Intel: Iraq bank set to halt Iran gas transfers as US sanctions waiver expires The Trade Bank of Iraq is expected to stop processing payments to Iran if US sanction exemptions expire next month. Iraq
Iraq president calls for restraint after meeting Trump in Davos Stressing the need for reforms to address youth unemployment and security, Iraqi President Barham Salih said "this is not time for another conflict" after meeting with his US counterpart in Davos. Iraq
Who gains if Trump publishes peace plan before Israeli election? While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be pushing for the Trump administration to publish its "deal of the century" ahead of the March elections, the candidate who might gain the most from such a situation is Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Palestine
Intel: Warren threatens Trump with insider trading probe over Soleimani strike Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen urged an insider trading investigation into President Donald Trump for reportedly telling Mar-a-Lago guests about the Soleimani strike in advance, according to a joint letter sent to the chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Monday. United States
Senate Armed Services Chairman Inhofe endorses Iraq sanctions Key Republican leaders are lining up behind President Donald Trump’s threats to hit Iraq with crippling sanctions. Iraq
Europeans rebuff Trump call to abandon nuclear deal amid growing rift on Iran The United States and Europe continue to be divided on Iran, with points of contention including how to react to the Iran protests and how the United States has doubled down on pressure after the Soleimani killing. United States
Bernie Sanders, Ilhan Omar push Democrats left on Iran war powers The Congressional Progressive Caucus has been instrumental in setting the Democratic agenda to push back against President Donald Trump’s Iran policy. Yemen
Iraqi base housing US troops hit as Iran tensions escalate Iran launched an attack against Iraqi bases housing American troops with over a dozen ballistic missiles. Iraq
Pompeo mocks claim Soleimani was part of Iraq-brokered Iran-Saudi indirect talks The US secretary of state discounted the Iraqi prime minister's claim that on the day Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in Baghdad, he was going to pass on an Iranian message as part of indirect Iranian-Saudi communications. Saudi Arabia
