Rubio hosts Ethiopia’s FM amid push to boost security ties: What to know In response to heightening regional volatility, Ethiopia is prioritizing a strategic partnership with the Washington to secure its geopolitical standing. Sudan
Trump calls Iran response 'piece of garbage,' set to meet military advisers A US Navy nuclear submarine reached port in Gibraltar on Sunday in an unsubtle signal from the Pentagon. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump rejects Iran's latest proposal Washington and Tehran harden positions after Iran’s response to a US peace proposal fails to break the deadlock. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Public fuss over KRG referendum gives way to private nods The regional players are buzzing after the Kurdistan Regional Government announced it will hold a referendum on independence, and signs point to tacit support from the United States and Turkey. Iraq
Mixed messages since US-Saudi-Islamic summit prove costly Is the United States missing an opportunity with Iran in the war against the Islamic State? Turkey, Hamas deal with fallout from Qatar dispute; Al-Monitor had the jump on “secret” US-Russia talks on Syria. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu and Abbas on the same page for once Palestinians and Israelis are mulling over a partial settlement construction freeze, a move that would benefit the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government. Palestine
Trump’s 7 guidelines for relaunching Israeli-Palestinian talks Instead of specific terms of reference, US President Donald Trump is reshaping rather vague guideline principles, creating a symmetry between Israeli and Palestinian interests. Palestine
As Trump stumbles, Turkish economy comes back from brink of crisis US President Donald Trump's underperformance on his pledges has led global funds to return to emerging economies, which helped Turkey to escape an economic crisis, though not without a growing baggage of problems. Turkey
US urges dialogue to ease Qatar crisis Diplomats hope mediation will cool diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its Gulf rivals. Saudi Arabia
Kurdish-backed militia launches Raqqa operation as another declares war on Turkey Coming just days after the Pentagon began distributing weapons to the YPG, Turkey could easily construe threats of escalation by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons as proof that US support for the Syrian Kurds emboldens the Kurdistan Workers Party. Syria
Jordan pins hopes on US-Russian accord on southern Syria Amid talks about secret trilateral meetings being held in Amman between Jordan, the United States and Russia to establish a de-escalation zone in southern Syria, Jordan would reject the presence of Islamic State militants on its northern borders, or fighters supported by Iran. Jordan
Blocking embassy move to Jerusalem Trump's wisest decision yet By signing the waiver against moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, President Donald Trump displayed responsibility and sound judgment. Palestine
Applying the ‘Bosnian model’ to Syria’s crisis Could the United States and Russia learn from the Dayton Agreement to reach a lasting peace deal in Syria? Jordan
Iran’s supreme leader attacks US for support of Saudi Arabia Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran must not compromise with Western demands. Saudi Arabia
US, Russia hold secret talks over south Syria safe zone US and Russian officials are quietly negotiating a deal over a proposed "de-escalation" zone near the border with Jordan. Syria