'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border. Lebanon
Analysis 'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US strikes render April ceasefire ‘meaningless’ Fresh US strikes and Iranian retaliation deepen regional tensions, while Washington tightens sanctions, France pushes for a larger role in Lebanon, and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support By questioning whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the next Knesset elections, President Donald Trump may have dented one of the Israeli leader's key political assets ahead of the vote. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf logistics startups ride Hormuz trade shift By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'We are already hearing the bus': Israeli insiders fear Netanyahu is losing Trump’s backing on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Will Abbas be forced to choose war against Israel? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is starting to understand that the current situation cannot go on for much longer and soon he will have to choose between peace and war. Palestine
Key Senate panel votes to slash Palestinian aid over ‘martyr’ payments The Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped the Taylor Force Act into its annual foreign aid spending bill, greatly improving its chances of becoming law. Palestine
Churches reject attempts to weaken Christian presence in Jerusalem As the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is stalled and the Israeli right-wing government is working to expand settlements, Jerusalem-based churches find themselves once again in the spotlight with talks about them selling lands to Israel. Palestine
Israel's worst-ever opposition Israel's opposition needs to take a page from Ehud Barak in how to turn the screws on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu given his glaring vulnerabilities. Israel
Netanyahu cries foul as court protects asylum-seekers from indefinite detention Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is framing a recent ruling to limit detention periods for asylum-seekers as further evidence of the threat they pose to Israeli society. Israel
Israel’s new chief justice — the right person at the right time Newly elected Chief of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut is the right person at the right time to withstand the aggressive forces on the political right in the battle threatening the independence of the court and Israel’s democratic values. Israel
Noose of investigations tightens around Netanyahu New developments in the investigations directly or indirectly involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest that indictments might be in his future. Israel
Iran keeping watchful eye on Iraqi Kurdistan, Israel Tehran openly opposes Iraqi Kurdistan's upcoming independence referendum, but many observers feel Iran is actually taking measures to counter Israeli actions in the Kurdish region. Iraq
Arabs and Jews unite against Netanyahu's divide and rule tactics Jewish and Arab activists are mobilizing to stop discriminatory and divisive policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
What Trump really wants for the Mideast The unrealistic statements by US envoy Jason Greenblatt about the Palestinian Authority's ruling the Gaza Strip again might indicate that US President Donald Trump does not have a realistic plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Israel slow to recalibrate on Syria Israel's original assessment of the Syrian war is no longer relevant, and the state must make strategic changes to face the threat of the regime, which is likely to remain in power with Iran's patronage. Israel
Palestinians want to be called ‘state under occupation’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing a UN resolution proposal that will change the definition of “Palestinian territories under occupation” into “a Palestinian state under occupation.” Palestine