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
Hamas courtship of Russia could lead to win-win romance A Hamas delegation recently visited Moscow to discuss various issues, ranging from the anticipated US peace plan to Moscow possibly brokering a Palestinian reconciliation. Palestine
Palestinians condemn Trump's proposed peace plan Fatah has come out swinging against what it says is the US administration’s unilateral effort to impose a Mideast peace plan that greatly favors Israel. Palestine
Is Israel's justice minister determined to undermine the judicial system? Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's proposal to let Israeli ministries select their own legal advisers reflects an alarmingly undemocratic political trend. Palestine
Is IDF letting Hamas dictate rules of game? Since Israel fears engaging in another Gaza war, it is reluctant to respond by force against Hamas provocations. Palestine
Palestinians applaud Erdogan win, pin hopes on Turkey Palestinians hope Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will cut ties with Israel and focus even more on their cause. Palestine
Israelis take two steps forward on equality, then two steps back Israeli consumers protested against companies segregating men and women or excluding on a racial basis, but the judiciary and government ministries continue to back gender segregation. Israel
Israel’s nuclear ambiguity policy blocks diplomatic process There is little hope for peace in the Middle East as long as Israel insists on its ambiguous nuclear policy and refuses to sign disarmament agreements. Israel
Congress seeks to hand off Israel boycott fight to Trump Congress is taking a third stab at legislation combating boycotts of Israel and its West Bank settlements by passing the buck to the Donald Trump administration. Palestine
Kushner peace push undermined by Trump's policies Jared Kushner’s Middle East peace push is being undermined by a series of administration policy decisions that have alienated both the Palestinian leadership and people. Palestine
Why is Israel propping up Hamas in Gaza? Israel is implementing a concerted policy of keeping Hamas in power on its southern border so it can focus its energies on threats from the north, especially the Iranian presence in Syria. Palestine
Is Israel's Zionist Camp on the brink of breaking up? The appointment of Zionist Camp senior Isaac Herzog as chair of the Jewish Agency offers Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni the chance of a lifetime to return to center stage. Israel
Voices in Hamas call for dialogue with Israel Some prominent Hamas affiliates are publicly calling for low-level talks with Israel to end the Gaza blockade and ease the humanitarian crisis there, a move that also appears to be necessary for the movement to continue to control the enclave. Palestine