Pentagon says US will not retaliate for Turkey in Syria

The United States will not take direct action in Syria despite a dramatic uptick in violence and calls for an immediate no-fly zone over Idlib, which would require the Pentagon to take out aircraft and airfields.

Syria

Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against Syrian forces

Turkey has downed two Syrian jets in launching Operation Spring Shield while also sending refugees to the Greek border.

Syria

Intel: Trump administration seeks to extend UN arms embargo on Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress today that the United States will appeal to the international community to extend the United Nations arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in October under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal.

United States

Hook to Al-Monitor: 'Diplomatic malpractice' to let UN arms ban on Iran expire this year

Top US diplomat Brian Hook tells Al-Monitor they are "looking at what we can do” to assist the Iranian people during the coronavirus outbreak and he has confidence in the new Swiss humanitarian channel, but "the regime has first responsibility to its own people."

United States

Trump helped Netanyahu with election, but now Bibi's on his own

President Donald Trump did all that he could to ensure that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won yesterday’s election, but now that the votes are in, Israel can't count on his support for any unilateral moves.

Israel

Intel: Trump administration eases humanitarian trade restrictions on Iran amid coronavirus fears

The Donald Trump administration slightly eased sanctions on Iran today to allow for trade in medical supplies and food as Tehran struggles to respond to the coronavirus outbreak throughout the country.

United States

US threatens to stop Yemen aid if Houthis don’t cooperate

USAID has informed Houthis rebels in Yemen that it will halt humanitarian aid deliveries to areas the rebels control if they continue to interfere in the distribution of assistance.

Yemen

US blacklists new leader of Iran-backed Iraqi militia

The successor of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States.

Iraq

Russia explores way to draw UAE, Saudi Arabia to its Syria policies

As relations with Turkey stall, Moscow seeks ways to engage with the Saudis and Emiratis to have them back in the Syrian game.

Saudi Arabia

Pentagon dismisses Syria re-engagement amid Idlib showdown

The US administration shot down the idea that it will send troops back into Syria amid assurances from the secretary of state that the United States is "working" with Turkey on the "complicated" situation.

Syria

Idlib and the collapse of Erdogan’s foreign policy

Gambling on Russia to secure results in Syria turns out to be Ankara’s biggest miscalculation

Syria

Why Iraq may opt to avoid lawsuit over Soleimani killing

Iraqi political parties have abstained from involving Iraq in the preparation of a judicial file involving the assassination of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.

Iraq