Why US strikes on Iran rail bridge signal shift in Hormuz conflict A US missile strike on the railway bridge linking Iran to Central and East Asia suggests the White House is once again flirting with politically coercive tactics after the June agreement failed to halt Iran's attacks on Hormuz shipping. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms Lebanese president meets US envoy; Russia eyes Tartous logistics hub in Syria; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump in first presidential summit in US since 2009 The visit by the Lebanese head of state will coincide with ongoing US-sponsored Lebanon-Israel talks. Lebanon
Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes Oil prices had been recovering following a memorandum of understanding signed last month to end the war, but they rose by more than 6% early on Wednesday. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran deal is ‘over’ By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Russia weighs in on Trump’s Golan Heights decision The US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights makes Moscow consider its own balance sheet on the issue. Israel
Abbas making rounds to drum up financial support Steeped in debt, the Palestinian Authority is doggedly pursuing Arab support, among other options. Saudi Arabia
Turkey disgruntled by US support for Greece, Cyprus, Israel summit Ankara believes gathering in Jerusalem aims to block Turkish access to energy resources in eastern Mediterranean. Israel
US, announcing new sanctions, says it hopes Iran comes 'back to negotiating table' New sanctions on Iranians who have engaged in sensitive defense research are intended to make those individuals “radioactive,” according to a senior US administration official. United States
How US, Iranian regional security strategies diverge The Iranian and US models to promote regional security differs because the former emphasizes engagement with nations to raise popular forces while the latter solely relies on states. United States
SDF commander lays out conditions for reconciliation with Damascus In an exclusive interview, Mazlum Kobane warns of a “second great war” if Turkey intervenes militarily; State Department officials explain consequences of "undisciplined armed groups" in Iraq. Syria
Pompeo in Jerusalem, bearing gifts for Netanyahu With Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the scheduled meeting in Washington with President Donald Trump, it seems the administration is doing all it can to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the elections. Israel
Submarine scandal resurfaces to menace Netanyahu Two and a half weeks before the general elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has found himself entangled once again in the submarine scandal he'd thought had sunk forever. Israel
Republicans push to lock in Trump’s shift on Golan Heights After President Donald Trump announced his intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Republicans are pushing a bill that would make it permanent US policy. Israel
How Trump's Golan decision will further frustrate Mideast peace process President Trump's tweet saying the United State should recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights may help Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April 9 elections, but may set back Trump's peace plan. Israel
As US hints at plans to reduce troops, Iraqi MPs divided on what comes next US troops in Iraq are unlikely to leave the country en masse due to US long-term plans to stay, and the sharp disagreement between Iraqi politicians regarding the presence of foreign forces in the country continues apace. Iraq
Four years on, Yemen war remains Saudi Arabia’s albatross The Saudi-led war on Yemen has alienated the kingdom from the US Congress and media outlets, with potentially dangerous consequences for the long-term future of US-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia