Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday, saying that Tehran had waited too long to reach a deal after the largest direct exchange of fire between the two countries since an April ceasefire. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf logistics startups ride Hormuz trade shift As cargo flows are rerouted across the Arabian Peninsula, overland freight networks are suddenly becoming critical infrastructure. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'We are already hearing the bus': Israeli insiders fear Netanyahu is losing Trump’s backing on Iran “He couldn’t afford a confrontation with Trump, who was the last asset he had left,” a Netanyahu associate told Al-Monitor, describing the prime minister’s struggle to balance pressure for retaliation against Iran with the need to preserve his alliance with the US president. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US rescues helicopter crew after crash near Oman US rescue of a helicopter crew, renewed missile exchanges, and rising tensions in Lebanon underscore the widening Iran-Israel-US conflict amid strained diplomacy. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Palestinian leaders underwhelmed by Israeli port plan Israel is floating a plan to set up a seaport in Cyprus to ease Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip, but neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has any praise for the proposal. Palestine
Jerusalem tram seeks to fast track Arabic learning for Israeli Jews For Arabic Language Week, Jerusalem Light Rail is distributing Arabic phrase books, conducting Arabic classes and displaying posters to introduce Hebrew speakers to the language with the goal of helping the city's residents communicate better. Israel
Architects from Middle East, beyond tear down barriers in Venice Turkey’s national pavilion and other entries from the region are among the highlights at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale, whose theme "Freespace" has prompted curators to investigate national boundaries, the human toll of migration and the concept of freedom. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian villagers wage legal battle during demolition freeze Palestinians from the Area C village of Bani Naim are fighting Israeli settlement expansion plans that include confiscating their land through protests and legal appeals. Palestine
How Israel's left could challenge Netanyahu If they're going to beat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the next elections, the three Zionist leftist parties must unite. Israel
Israeli Arabs, ultra-Orthodox wheel and deal in the Knesset The ultra-Orthodox parties helped Arab Knesset members block the muezzin bill, while the Arab Joint List absented itself from the vote on the proposed conscription law. Israel
Is Israel going easy on Hamas? Israel plays it safe in Gaza while giving priority to its northern border; Hamas looking for a friend in Moscow; Israel’s nuclear ambiguity. Palestine
Israel tightens financial noose on Gaza Israel recently designated a Gaza currency exchange company a terror organization, raising concerns among local bankers and business owners about who might be next. Palestine
For Israel, Syrian battles hit too close to home Israel is facing a complicated situation on its Syrian border as Iran keeps reinforcing its presence in the country, the Syrian army gets closer to Israel and refugees continue to flee the combat zones. Israel
Will Israel welcome Syrian refugees? The Israeli government has barred entry to Syrian refugees massing along its border, and although Israel is providing them with humanitarian aid, their increasing numbers are leading many to fear a pending humanitarian crisis. Israel
Trump, Putin both want piece of Middle East peace talks Russia and the United States can each bring advantages to the Mideast peace negotiating table, but neither is likely to solve all the issues without the other's cooperation. Palestine
Netanyahu faces international scrutiny on Jerusalem In his meeting with the UK’s Prince William, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided the issue of the prince’s refusal to meet with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat in his municipality office. Palestine