UAE's Gargash expects 'prolonged' war, calls for Iran-Gulf security talks "We need a new mindset that these sort of discussions ... can happen at an Iranian-American level, it should also take place at an Iranian-Arab level," Gargash told Al-Monitor. United Arab Emirates
Analysis After France's settlement ban, Israel sees no warming of ties with Macron government Israeli diplomats say France’s decision to ban imports from West Bank settlements has brought bilateral relations to an unprecedented low point. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis How Netanyahu is leveraging Houthi threat in secret Saudi normalization push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to capitalize on Riyadh's need for intelligence assistance to make normalization headway ahead of the October elections. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones: What to know Serbian President Vucic said the factory will put together “state-of-the-art” Israeli-designed drones and employ around 100 workers. Israel
Exclusive Lacking deterrence, Israel’s security establishment opposes attacks on Houthis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
One man's quest to save the Jewish Iraqi language Oded Amit, who was born in Baghdad and eventually fled to Israel, has taken it upon himself to teach Israelis of Iraqi immigrants the language of their ancestors in order to preserve it. Iraq
Will EU take the lead on two-state solution? The European Union is developing a new Middle East policy, which will not depend on the Trump administration. Palestine
Ultra-Orthodox leadership silent over violent demonstration Much like the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox community, Israeli politicians and ministers are afraid to condemn the violent demonstrations against the summoning of ultra-Orthodox students to IDF induction centers. Israel
PA, Jordan compete for aid at Arab League Summit Both the Palestinian and Jordanian governments took advantage of the Arab League Summit in Amman to present their cases for why they deserve more financial aid from the rich Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia
Will zealots ignite another firestorm on the Temple Mount? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes the Supreme Court will resolve the issue of Knesset members’ visiting the Temple Mount so he doesn't have to. Palestine
Is Turkey trying to bypass Abbas in Gaza? Hamas says it has not succumbed to Turkish pressure to negotiate with Israel, but the exchange raises discussion about Turkey’s role in accelerating the peace process between the adversaries. Palestine
Hamas weighs options in wake of commander's assassination A senior Hamas military operative, Mazen Faqha, was shot near his home in western Gaza, with Israel being the main suspect behind the assassination, raising concerns about a fourth war in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Israel keeps tabs on Putin-Assad alliance Russian President Vladimir Putin’s backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reinforces the latter and might lead him to adopt a stronger approach vis-a-vis Israel. Israel
The GCC’s three options for dealing with Iran Against the backdrop of heightened tensions with Iran in past years, the Gulf Cooperation Council stands at a crossroads in how it chooses to deal with the Islamic Republic. Legacy: Gulf
Drug cultivation, trafficking on the rise in West Bank Despite increased efforts to counter it, drug cultivation and trafficking has increased in the West Bank in the first quarter of 2017 compared to previous years. Palestine
Why is Netanyahu ignoring concerns of chemical workers? Threatened with losing their jobs, employees from Haifa Chemicals cannot get the attention of Israeli leaders, who are too concerned with the fight over Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation. Israel
What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq? Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq. Iraq