Iran rejects Trump's claim frozen funds will buy US soybeans: What to know Trump said Wednesday that the US would release “some” Iranian frozen funds and would use them to purchase corn, wheat and soybeans from American farmers. Iran
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu With the fifth round of talks set to begin Tuesday, Israel is prepared to withdraw from at least one “pilot zone,” allowing the Lebanese army to take control of the area. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined The deal advanced between Washington and Tehran sees a linkage between the Iranian and Lebanese theaters and creates a deconfliction mechanism — without consulting Israel beforehand. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
US, Iran to form 'deconflicting cell' on Lebanon, sidelining Lebanese state The agreement came during talks between Iran and the United States following a preliminary deal reached last week to end the war across the Middle East, including in Lebanon. Lebanon
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 Democrats say Trump administration policy has empowered Iran The State Department also announced new sanctions on Iran including on the judge who purportedly ordered the execution of famed wrestler Navid Afkari. Congress
An open letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Yossi Beilin, who participated in the back-channel negotiations leading the 1993 Oslo Accord, pens an open letter to the Palestinian president calling on him to stay focused on making peace. Palestine
Intel: US push to get Sudan to recognize Israel faces setback Sudan's government is asking for $3 billion in emergency economic aid Israel
US deploys Bradley armored vehicles to Syria after dustups with Russia’s troops Four US service members were injured last month when a Russian troop carrier rammed a US military vehicle. Syria
Trump administration leveraged terror designation to push Sudan to recognize Israel Last minute White House gambit risked efforts to obtain compensation for families of victims of the 1998 embassy bombings, sources tell Al-Monitor. Israel
Israel’s Gulf diplomacy and its discontents As Israel and its new regional partners begin trade talks, Palestinians, Israeli Arabs and the Israeli left are on the sidelines. United Arab Emirates
How a second Trump term could shift Russia’s stance on Syria Bahrain, UAE peace deals compel Palestinian rethink on strategy. United Arab Emirates
Biden endorses lower troop levels in Iraq, fight against IS in interview Joe Biden told Stars and Stripes he wants to stop "forever wars" but keep some troops in Iraq and Syria. His opponent, Donald Trump, also pledges to withdraw more troops. United States
Netanyahu hails Bahrain-Israel normalization deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi thank US President Donald Trump and his team for their engagement in the region and the announcement of an agreement with Bahrain to normalize relations. United Arab Emirates
Netanyahu gives up on private-plane ride to Washington With criticism pouring in from all sides, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandons his plan to travel to Washington on a private plane. Israel
Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize following Israel-UAE deal A right-wing Norwegian politician made the nomination, but Trump is not necessarily likely to win it. Originals
Israeli, UAE politicians to visit White House for agreement ceremony The United Arab Emirates and Israel agreed to establish relations in late August. The UAE is only the third country in the Arab world to recognize Israel, and Donald Trump is talking up the issue during the US elections. Originals