Analysis What Zaidi's Washington visit means for US investment in Iraq Iraq could greatly benefit from US investment in gas capture, which could help reduce the country's dependence on neighboring Iran. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis Trump's ‘180-degree reversal’ on Lebanon, Syria leaves Netanyahu with few options before elections Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes an Israeli withdrawal from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon will help ease tensions with President Donald Trump. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US extends Iran strikes to bridges, airport Trump taps Russia-born investor to oversee TRIPP; France-Morocco energy cooperation grows as heat waves pressure Europe; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Vance says Israeli intelligence had ties to Epstein: What to know Vice President JD Vance has grown more critical of Israel, possibly in an effort to capitalize on changing views among voters with an eye on the 2028 presidential election. United States
Trump taps Russia-born investor to oversee $200M+ fund backing Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran declares 'existential war' as US strikes reach near Tehran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran's Zarif criticizes hard-liners for leaks on nuclear talks In an exclusive interview, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator criticized those attacking the nuclear deal. United States
Why is Jordan shifting its Syria strategy? Jordan has joined the Astana process and is signaling a change in its position toward Damascus. Jordan
What will Netanyahu tell Trump? With combative coalition partners watching his every move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might focus on the Iranian issue when meeting US President Donald Trump, as this will serve him well in the Israeli public opinion. Palestine
Turkey’s Euphrates Shield reaches critical juncture Will Turkish army advance to Raqqa, try to hold on to al-Bab or end the operation and go back to Turkey? Syria
Turkey walks fine line in dealing with 'frenemy' jihadis Turkey’s mixed messages in crackdown terrorist groups; Ankara on sidelines, again, in Syria; Syrian Kurds consider federalism, view Turkish attack on al-Bab as "fiasco." Syria
How close are we to a solution in Syria? As the Syrian Democratic Forces launch a new phase in the operation to liberate the city of Raqqa from Islamic State control, many questions remain about the military and political situation on the ground. Syria
Iranian academics hit hard by Trump's travel ban Beyond impacting travelers and their families around the world, the US president's move to ban citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from the United States has crushed academics at home and abroad. United States
How Trump's economic policies could hurt Egypt In a time of global economic uncertainty, Egypt is worried about how US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement will affect the Suez Canal. Egypt
What is Merkel's Mideast role in Trump-Putin era? Against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s nationalistic policies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is being viewed by many as the new leader of the free world and a future key player in the Middle East. Palestine
The colonels shaping Trump's Middle East policy Who’s who in the Trump NSC: The retired military intelligence officers who helped David Petraeus with the surge in Iraq are now shaping policies for a president who says the United States should have never invaded Iraq. Iraq
How Trump could spark 'national reconciliation' in Iran Former President Mohammad Khatami, sensing that the threat from US President Donald Trump is real, called for national reconciliation. United States
All eyes on Pompeo as CIA chief arrives in Ankara Though Turkish hopes for a closer US alliance are soaring as CIA Director Mike Pompeo meets with top Ankara officials, it's unlikely that the US administration will agree to weaken its ties to the Kurdish groups it depends on badly in Syria. Syria