Trump’s new Iran sanctions tie Democrats' hands on nuclear deal reentry

President Donald Trump’s new Iran sanctions are largely redundant, but they could tie a future president’s hand on reentering the nuclear deal and cut off humanitarian trade.

United States

Iraq steps up search for advanced air defense system

Regional conflicts and international tensions, along with money, are roadblocks to Iraq's pressing interest in upgrading its missile defense system.

Iraq

Are Netanyahu and Gantz really so different?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appear to hold similar views on certain issues, but are miles apart in tone and expression.

Palestine

Congress pushes Trump to reopen US Consulate in Iraq’s Basra province

The State Department closed the US Consulate in Iraq’s Basra province nearly a year ago. Now Congress is laying the groundwork to reopen it.

Iraq

Zarif: Attack on Iran would mean 'all-out war'

Iranian officials have said that if the United States or Saudi Arabia strikes Iran over the recent attack on Saudi oil facilities, it is prepared to defend itself.

Saudi Arabia

Trump, Europeans push to keep space for Iran diplomacy after Saudi attacks

Following strikes on Saudi oil facilities, Donald Trump stated his desire to avoid escalation with Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Congress aims to restore Syria stabilization aid

Congress is calling for the State Department to spend $130 million on stabilizing Syria next year, a rebuke to the Trump administration’s efforts to zero out the fund in its 2020 budget proposal.

Syria

Turkey at odds with US and Russia over northern Syria

As Ankara loses ground in Idlib, President Erdogan’s threat of military action east of the Euphrates raises the stakes for Turkey.

Syria

Iran defends strikes on Saudi oil facility but denies role

While flatly denying any role in the twin strikes on Saudi oil facilities, Iran finds no drawback in firmly standing by the Shiite Houthi rebels for what it views as their exercise of the right to retaliate against Saudi attacks.

Saudi Arabia

Has Erdogan revealed Ankara’s occupational goals?

Syrian Kurds and Armenians fear a Turkish-run safe zone east of the Euphrates, particularly since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to establish a military safe zone east of the Euphrates and labels the Kurdish People's Protection Units as terrorists.

Syria

Congress wants answers after 10 bomb-sniffing dogs die in Jordan

Congress is demanding answers after an inspector general report showed that a number of bomb-sniffing dogs from the United States have died from neglect in Jordan.

Jordan

Suspected Iranian strikes raise US concerns over Chinese missile proliferation

The Donald Trump administration is concerned that US adversaries such as China are abetting Iran’s growing missile arsenal, which US officials believe was used in strikes against Saudi oil facilities over the weekend.

Saudi Arabia