'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border. Lebanon
Analysis 'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US strikes render April ceasefire ‘meaningless’ Fresh US strikes and Iranian retaliation deepen regional tensions, while Washington tightens sanctions, France pushes for a larger role in Lebanon, and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support By questioning whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the next Knesset elections, President Donald Trump may have dented one of the Israeli leader's key political assets ahead of the vote. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf logistics startups ride Hormuz trade shift 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 By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Netanyahu works to pre-empt potential indictment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already started explaining why he has no intention of quitting if police recommend his indictment. Israel
Abbas' diplomatic offensive Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will apply for Palestine to join 22 international agencies and organizations to which Palestinians have a right to full membership. Palestine
Abbas trapped by Trump following Jerusalem proclamation Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is trapped by a US administration that does not understand the regional damage caused by the Jerusalem proclamation. Palestine
Istanbul summit exposes divisions within Arab world The Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit exposed Arab differences and Arab-Islamic tensions, and the reactions to both the OIC summit and the Arab League meetings were similarly pessimistic. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt's top religious institutions unite against Trump's Jerusalem move Al-Azhar and the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church hope to pressure the US administration into renouncing its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel through recently launched boycott campaigns. Palestine
Hezbollah, Iran, Hamas seek new strategy for resistance Hamas is moving closer to Iran and Hezbollah, as the "axis of resistance" shifts priorities now that the Syrian war is winding down. Palestine
Israelis, Palestinians need European mediation The Jerusalem proclamation by US President Donald Trump put an end to the American role as honest broker between Israel and the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
PA looks for replacement to US as Mideast peace process sponsor Following the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the Palestinian Authority has endeavored to find a new sponsor for the peace process, yet this could be complicated by lack of options and threats to existing financial aid agreements. Palestine
Is PA living up to Palestinians' expectations over Jerusalem? The Palestinian leadership seems to be taking slow actions vis-a-vis Washington to counter US President Donald Trump's decision on Jerusalem. Palestine
Pharmaceutical giant's layoffs generate rage in Israel Instead of making populistic statements and pretending to save Teva workers from layoff, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must focus on major changes that help the workers who are about to lose their jobs. Israel
Trump’s Jerusalem move accelerates Fatah succession war Rivals of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas within the Fatah movement are using the US president's Jerusalem proclamation to advance themselves ahead of the succession battle. Palestine
Is Trump’s Jerusalem decision winner for Iran? Islamic Jihad gains momentum in the Gaza Strip, US-Jordan relations are shaken, US-Turkey relations worsen and Iran reaps the benefits without lifting a finger. Palestine