Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha The US-Iran decision to launch direct talks between the IRGC and CENTCOM in Qatar deepens the rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while heightening Israeli fears that Washington is shifting toward Doha and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran attacks cargo ship off Oman, testing Trump’s Hormuz Strait deal The first Iranian attack on a cargo vessel since the ceasefire comes as top US diplomat Marco Rubio huddled with Gulf Cooperation Council ministers in Manama to reject Iran's claims to control the Strait of Hormuz. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Trump hints at F-35 breakthrough with Turkey ahead of NATO summit The administration is moving ahead with planned jet engine sales to Ankara ahead of next month’s NATO summit despite congressionally mandated sanctions on Turkey's defense industry. Turkey
CENTCOM commander heads to Israel, Gulf as Lebanon talks stall Israel's top defense official said his country would not withdraw from Lebanon despite diplomatic pressure from Washington as it seeks rapprochement with Iran. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Why Gulf defense firms are betting on Europe in wake of Iran war By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis How Netanyahu used Lebanon strikes to push back on Trump’s Iran deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Senate bill adds restrictions on US effort to train Lebanon army: What to know By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
For Israel, new Iran deal perhaps better than no deal at all Officially, Israel is against the negotiated new nuclear deal with Iran, but unofficially, it thinks the new deal would be better than no deal at all. Israel
Israel government looks to Amman to help calm Jerusalem tensions Following the three terror attacks at the end of March, Jerusalem is reaching out to Amman, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Washington and other capitals to prevent further violence. Israel
Biden's budget proposal would slash military aid to Tunisia Tunisia's president further cemented his hold on power this week as US lawmakers urged the Biden administration to scrutinize its security aid to the country. North Africa
Tensions increase at highest levels of Israel’s leadership Tensions between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid keep increasing, destabilizing the already fragile coalition. Israel
After three terror attacks, Israel beefs up security Worried that the three attacks might only be the beginning, Israeli security agencies deploy multiple efforts to restore calm during the upcoming Ramadan and Passover period. By Lilach Shoval
Israeli president meets Jordanian king in landmark visit The day after Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled to Jordan and met with King Abdullah II, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog also traveled to the kingdom for a historic visit. Israel
Second attack rattles Israel during landmark regional summit in Negev The terror attack in Hadera, the second murderous rampage in days, did not dim the Negev Summit or the commitment of its participants for a regional alliance. Israel
Will Ukraine crisis help Turkey dodge Western arms embargoes? Drawing on the role of Turkish drones in bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Erdogan has urged NATO partners to lift restrictions on military sales to Turkey. But US sanctions remain a tough row to hoe. Turkey
Israel shocked by Islamic State-inspired terror attack Israel’s security agencies were blindsided when the killer of four civilians in Beersheba this week turned out to be an Israeli citizen from the nearby Bedouin town of Hura. Israel
Bennett meets with Egyptian, Emirati leaders on Iran, regional alliances In his meetings yesterday and today in Sharm el-Sheikh with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett continued his efforts to establish a regional alliance against Iran and a new nuclear deal. Israel
Israel calls on US not to delist IRGC as terror group Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid appealed directly to Washington in a statement, listing the connections between Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and terrorism. Israel
Analysis Lawmakers call for probe as arms purchasers target US-based dissidents Democratic lawmakers are seeking a congressional watchdog study on how the State Department is tracking extraterritorial harassment by countries that benefit from US security assistance or arms, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
