'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
Jerusalem, missile defense dominate Putin's quick Turkey visit During his speed visit to the region, Putin stopped over in Ankara to discuss Trump's Jerusalem move with Erdogan as well as moving forward with the sale of the S-400 missile defense system to Turkey. Palestine
Islamic Jihad pushes Hamas into corner After Trump’s Jerusalem declaration Hamas found itself in a Catch-22: While it wants to avoid clashes with Israel, it also does not want the public to view it as hindering armed action in response. Palestine
Israeli women take over IDF tanks The religious Zionist movement objects to the Israeli army's decision to train female soldiers as tank crews. Israel
Netanyahu prepares for day after police indictment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already prepared his public strategy in case the police recommend his indictment for accepting bribes. Israel
Iran's envoy in Jordan: Support for Hezbollah maintains Arab security In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Ambassador to Jordan Mojtaba Ferdosipour discusses regional developments, including accusations against Iran of supporting terrorism in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia
Israel continues to expand in West Bank through new tourist route The Israeli government approved the construction of a new tourist route that would pass through the West Bank to the Syrian Golan Heights, raising fears among Palestinians about Israel’s attempts to maintain a permanent presence in occupied territories. Palestine
Sisi performs balancing act in wake of Trump's Jerusalem move Following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been careful to strike a delicate balance between allowing public condemnation of Trump's decision and not letting protests get out of hand. Palestine
Can Europe-Netanyahu gap be bridged? Visiting Paris and Brussels, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was confronted with objections to President Donald Trump's Jerusalem proclamation, but he also heard that Europe won't initiate a peace plan of its own. Palestine
Will Erdogan’s Jerusalem campaign succeed? Erdogan’s supporters are among those who fear his vociferous campaign against the United States and Israel will leave him disappointed and regionally isolated. Israel
Liberman intensifies campaign against Israeli Arabs Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has renewed his struggle against religious coercion and Israeli Arabs as part of a campaign to regain relevancy and strengthen his political standing. Israel
Was Trump's Jerusalem declaration a honey trap? The presentation of a serious US blueprint for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on a permanent status arrangement is the only hope of saving the peace process. Palestine
Arab leaders plan major response to Trump's Jerusalem move As public anger has yet to subside over Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Palestine are meeting to discuss actions to be taken in this regard. Palestine