Newsletter: Daily Briefing US strikes Iran's Qeshm Island The US military struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, just hours after President Donald Trump said he was not considering attacking Iran after the midterm elections. By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
Newsletter: FutureVerse US elections spotlight Gulf tech risks A sweeping victory by Democrats could put the White House’s recent Gulf dealings under greater scrutiny. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'All we can do is wait': Netanyahu's push for Iran strikes hangs on Trump’s post-midterm call Amid the political deadlock following Israel's elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leverage on Washington to resume Iran strikes will depend on the US' own vote. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran gives 2-day window for Hormuz deal as US mulls strikes: What to know An Iranian spokesperson said on Monday that a revised proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could take effect within two days if Washington meets its demands. Iran
Analysis How Netanyahu is trying to discredit Arab parties in bid to block Eisenkot By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Israel’s deadlock: Could Trump broker Netanyahu-Eisenkot deal? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Intel: Pro-Israel super PAC warns Netanyahu against West Bank annexation The leaders of a prominent pro-Israel super PAC with close ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rivals against moving forward with plans to annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported today. Israel
Intel: US signals support for Iraq’s latest prime minister-designate Secretary of State Michael Pompeo signaled support for Iraq’s newest prime minister-designate, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, in a statement today. Iraq
Iraqi PM-designate meets with officials in push to form ‘government that serves the public’ Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi hopes to announce his proposed Cabinet soon. Iraq
Is the new OPEC+ deal a win for Russia? The new OPEC+ deal has some advantages for Russia but some of the potential long-term implications may be dire for Moscow. Saudi Arabia
Will Iran back UN-Saudi initiative for cease-fire in Yemen? For Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, Yemen is too big to fail; for Iran, it’s a penny stock investment to keep the kingdom bogged down in a quagmire. Yemen
Khamenei blames Western culture, atheism for coronavirus response failings In a rare speech, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the West for its poor response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, as cases continue to grow in Iran. United States
Intel: Pompeo, Netanyahu talk coronavirus on Passover Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chatted by phone on Wednesday, the first day of Passover. Israel
COVID-19 pandemic intensifies Iran sanctions debate Iran hawks are doubling down on sanctions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Democrats can’t agree on how much relief the United States should give Iran. United States
Intel: State Department backs up watchdog report on Syria chemical weapons use The United States agrees with the recent assessment of a global chemical weapons watchdog that found the Syrian regime used banned weapons against its own people, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. Syria
Amid Saudi-Russia price war, US on track to become net oil importer: Report The coronavirus and the Saudi-Russia oil price war are contributing to a fall in US oil production and the United States is expected to become a net oil importer again in the fall. Saudi Arabia
Iran's Rouhani pushes for IMF loan, slams US 'medical terrorism' US points to medical and humanitarian exceptions to sanctions policies, blames Iran's mismanagement of economy. United States
Intel: Saudis to discuss oil price war with new Republican detractors Saudi officials will hold a phone call to discuss the kingdom’s record high oil output with two Republican senators that have become the ringleaders in conservative efforts to pressure Riyadh into ending the price war. Saudi Arabia