US says Israeli settlements not necessarily illegal

A US shift on settlements comes after European court decision on labeling settlement products.

Palestine

Djerejian: In addressing uprisings in Middle East, first 'do no harm'

Former US diplomat Edward Djerejian also sees opportunity for US diplomacy in Gulf crisis.

Saudi Arabia

Turkey remains determined to keep Russian missiles

After last week’s meeting between the US and Turkish presidents, some in Washington seem hopeful Turkey won't activate its Russian-made S-400 missile system, but Ankara insists Turkey didn’t buy the $2 billion weapons system to mothball it.

Turkey

Trump and Erdogan: A transatlantic love affair

Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Donald Trump of the United States get along very well but appear to achieve little for the countries' long-term relationship.

Turkey

Anti-Iran advocacy group FDD registers to lobby

The hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an influential Washington think tank, has registered to lobby US lawmakers.

Israel

Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya

The US National Security Council has begun a review of US policy involving Libya as a congressional bill seeks to sanction Russian mercenaries who have undertaken operations in the war-torn North African country.

Libya

Turkey’s fight against IS riddled with black holes

Ankara may boast about how many Islamic State members it has captured, but its handling of IS suspects on the ground, especially in deportation centers, speaks of a slipshod attitude to the problem.

Syria

Probe claims State Department sidelined Iran expert in politicized smear campaign

The State Department's Office of the Inspector General finds that “improper considerations played a role" in the removal of a career employee's assignment to the department's policy planning office.

United States

Erdogan lauds Trump for 'sincere' efforts to fix ties with Turkey

The Turkish president received a warm welcome in Washington despite launching a military operation in northeast Syria that has upended US regional policy and defying NATO to acquire Russian weapons.

Turkey

Rouhani: US no friend of Muslims, Mideast

President Hassan Rouhani has continued his new anti-US position at the latest Islamic Unity Conference.

United States

Absent new agreements, Trump-Erdogan meeting ends with pledge to work together

US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Washington to rebuild US-Turkish relations without setting a clear path for progress.

Syria

Efforts to tie Trump’s hands on Iran, Saudi Arabia hold up key defense bill

Congressional efforts to tie President Donald Trump’s hands on Middle East policy have helped stall negotiations as Democrats and Republicans struggle to pass annual spending and defense authorization legislation.

Saudi Arabia