Pentagon inks 7-year missile-production deal amid Iran war shortage The Defense Department has been hammering out new agreements with top defense manufacturers as the Iran war has rapidly depleted Washington's interceptor stockpiles. United States
Analysis Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran Israeli sources point out that the pilot project for Israel's withdrawal and the Lebanese military taking control over the area is not working because of the government's reluctance to search for Hezbollah's weapons in private homes. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How Iran is readying for economic protests as Trump escalates pressure Iranian authorities are bracing for unrest as US pressure collides with a battered economy, fuel price indecision and fresh memories of bloodshed. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Trump says Hormuz mine-free as Iran, Oman agree to clear them The US president again says Hormuz is clear of mines as Iran and Oman announce their plan to clear the strait. United States
Newsletter: FutureVerse Economic D-day’s tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Exclusive Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Europe takes center stage as Iran weighs response to Trump Though suspicion and mistrust lingers, Iran maintains hope that Europe will resist US pressure to torpedo the nuclear deal. United States
Palestinian leadership faces monumental decisions The Palestinian Central Council faces some tough choices when it meets in Ramallah, but it is unclear what consensus can be reached on. Palestine
US sanctions hinder Iranian protesters’ ability to organize online As the Iranian protests die down, hawkish lawmakers and dovish advocates are united in their concern that US sanctions are inhibiting protesters’ ability to organize. United States
Iran’s judiciary moves to radically cut executions Iran’s judiciary chief has ordered a halt to executions of people convicted of most drug-related crimes. United States
Iran’s supreme leader points finger at Saudi Arabia, US, Israel over unrest Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei distinguished between peaceful protesters and those who damaged public property during the recent unrest. United States
Trump’s peace deal: A Gaza-centered Palestine The Trump administration is elaborating on a Mideast peace plan of trilateral or even quadruple land swaps, involving Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt and, possibly, Jordan. Saudi Arabia
Mattis denies existence of Iranian 'land bridge' across Middle East In an impromptu visit with reporters on Friday, US Defense Secretary James Mattis denied that Iran had succeeded in constructing a "land bridge" through the Middle East. Syria
Israeli centrist leader at war with UNRWA Contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid wholeheartedly embraced the threats by the Trump administration to cut UNRWA financing, which has the potential to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Will Fatah launch 'intifada of independence'? Palestinians warn that absent a diplomatic route toward Palestinian statehood, Fatah might launch in 2018 an intifada of independence. Palestine
Iran protests reveal Republican fracture over nuclear deal Iran hawks are pushing the Trump administration to terminate the agreement, but Republican leaders worry US pressure could backfire. Congress
Israel caught between Trump and Gaza suffering Israel recognizes UNRWA’s role in preventing starvation in Gaza, so it cannot openly endorse the Trump administration's apparent desire to cut aid to the organization. Palestine
Netanyahu, Abbas take off diplomatic masks While Likud ministers freely discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank, the Palestinians are preparing to request UN recognition of Palestine as a state under foreign occupation. Palestine