Analysis 'He knew it was over': Inside Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s Iran deal as Israel recalibrates Despite all his efforts, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realized there is nothing he could do to prevent President Donald Trump from signing a deal with Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Region welcomes US-Iran deal Gulf states, Turkey and Lebanon cautiously praise the framework while urging full implementation and protection of maritime trade routes. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Squeezed by Trump and Iran war, how vulnerable is Netanyahu in polls? The Israeli prime minister faces growing problems over Oct. 7, his alliance with the ultra-Orthodox parties, and Donald Trump questioning his political future. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
US strikes on Indian-crewed tankers spark tensions with New Delhi India summoned the US deputy chief of mission in Delhi on Friday to protest American strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. Iran
Analysis 'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says no final decision yet on deal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Here’s why Russia gives itself high marks for 2016 Russia achieved many of its 2016 goals in the Middle East and paved the way for potentially significant successes in 2017 and beyond. Legacy: Gulf
Is Erdogan trying to wreck US-Turkey relations? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims he has “evidence” of US support for the Islamic State; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani applauds valuable “victory” in Aleppo. Syria
Iranian Reformists slam exiled dissidents over letter to Trump The penning of a letter to US President-elect Donald Trump by Iranian dissidents has led conservatives in Tehran to attack Reformists. United States
Turkey demands US support for its operation in Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Washington of not providing air support to Turkish forces in al-Bab and of supporting the Islamic State instead. Syria
Netanyahu's diplomatic world war Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's diplomatic world war against countries that voted for the UN Security Council Resolution 2334 has left Israeli ministers and diplomats panicked, tongue-tied and anonymously expressing dissatisfaction. Palestine
Kerry defends US vote on Israeli settlements US Secretary of State John Kerry, in an impassioned speech Dec. 28, defended the US decision to abstain on a UN Security Council resolution criticizing Israeli settlements. Palestine
Turkey cuts Syria deal with Russia, confronts Western allies As Turkey and Russia reach agreement on a comprehensive cease-fire in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is accusing his Western partners in the anti-IS coalition of tacitly supporting the fanatical group. Syria
Why is Turkey so focused on Syria's al-Bab? From a military point of view, al-Bab is a strategically unimportant town in the Syrian conflict, but that hasn't stopped Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from obsessing over the town's liberation from the Islamic State. Syria
Obama's 'total surprise' for Netanyahu Israeli sources revealed to Al-Monitor some of the alleged evidence showing the United States was deeply involved in advancing UN Security Council Resolution 2334 condemning settlements. Palestine
Why Iran’s 'green gold' is set to rebound Despite being hit by climate change and sanctions, Iran’s millennia-old pistachio production appears set to increase production and export. United States
Why UN anti-settlement resolution won't make a difference UN efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have failed miserably, as Israel is unmoved by its resolutions over the years. Palestine
Is Netanyahu sacrificing Israel on his crusade against Obama? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that Israel will pay, diplomatically and politically, for its over-the-top response to the anti-settlement UN Security Council resolution, but it seems he doesn't care. Palestine