Analysis As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’ Israeli officials believe the US failure to attain the kind of agreement with Iran that it originally sought stems from the strategic mistakes made during and after the recent war. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Oil falls below $71 as US-Iran talks continue, Gulf exports rebound Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an X post on Wednesday that Iran and the United States had made "positive progress." Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar reports progress in US-Iran talks Syrian FM in Lebanon; Pro-Palestinian candidate unseats long-serving Democrat in Colorado; Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Araghchi warns Israel as US, Iran hold technical talks in Doha Syria unveils its transitional parliament appointees; Kuwait’s Zain plans a major telecom investment in postwar Syria; and North Africa’s World Cup teams make history. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: China-Middle East Saudi FM goes to China amid Trump-MBS friction By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Analysis For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
COVID-19 menaces oil market The novel coronavirus pandemic could have an even greater impact on the global oil glut than the Saudi-Russian showdown over prices and output. Saudi Arabia
US slashes millions in Yemen aid despite pandemic As Yemen stares down a coronavirus crisis, the United States is set to slash $73 million in humanitarian assistance because of worsening Houthi aid restrictions. Saudi Arabia
How will the COVID-19 crisis impact US-Iran tensions? If Iran can hold out long enough against COVID-19, Tehran and Washington might be able to come to terms. United States
Intel: US touts nearly $40 million in coronavirus aid to Middle East The United States today touted nearly $40 million in aid to the Middle East and North Africa as part of a $274 million emergency health and humanitarian assistance package to help afflicted countries deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Yemen
Iraq’s post-pandemic future depends on breaking Iran’s hold The Trump administration tells Iraq it faces a 'decision point' in choosing America or Iran. Iraq
Intel: Trump administration to cut Yemen aid amid potential coronavirus cease-fire The Donald Trump administration is preparing to cut most humanitarian aid to Yemen amid progress on a potential cease-fire between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels. Yemen
Iraqi prime minister-designate faces challenges in gaining political support Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi is struggling to secure the needed parliamentary votes for his Cabinet. Iraq
Intel: Republicans dial up pressure on Saudis to end oil price war with Russia Republicans are throwing their weight behind the Donald Trump administration’s push to get Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, which has increasingly squeezed American energy companies as the coronavirus runs rampant throughout the United States. Saudi Arabia
US issues fresh Iran sanctions targeting IRGC’s ‘web of front companies’ The US Treasury Department places sanctions on more companies, officials and individuals affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force and Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iraq
Intel: Timeline of CIA contractor Robert Levinson missing for 13 years in Iran The family of Robert Levinson, a CIA contractor who disappeared on Iran’s Kish Island in 2007, confirmed Thursday that the US government informed them that the former FBI agent had died at some point prior to the coronavirus pandemic. United States
US coalition transfers another base to Iraqi security forces The US-led coalition against the Islamic State has announced the transfer of another military base to Iraqi security forces as a temporary precaution against the coronavirus outbreak. Iraq