Israeli president meets FM Wang Yi as reports link China to Iran’s military buildup Israeli President Isaac Herzog held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussed topics ranging from economic and cultural cooperation to regional security. Israel
Who is Abdulrahman Alfozan, Saudi national charged in bugging OpenAI meetings? The Saudi national who was arrested for allegedly planting a covert listening device at OpenAI’s offices has extensive experience working at leading technology companies in the US and serves as a venture partner at a Saudi venture capital firm. Saudi Arabia
Exclusive In bid to win over Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu may strike Yemen before elections Attacks on Iran or its Yemeni proxy before the elections cannot be ruled out, but the Israeli prime minister appears more inclined to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump offers Iran path to nuclear deal while keeping up military pressure Iran has previously discussed compromises on enrichment. Iran
Analysis Deal or war? Israel fears fallout from Trump’s next move on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel's Oct. 7 accountability debate By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Why Trump-Xi summit did not move the China needle away from Iran By Yun Sun In Washington, DC, reporting on China-Middle East ties
House Democrats urge Biden to pressure Saudis on 'unconscionable' Yemen blockade The lawmakers called on Biden to use the full weight of US influence to end the sea and air blockade, which aid agencies say is exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia
Man admits asking Gaetz's father for $25M to find FBI agent in Iran, denies extortion Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent believed to have died in Iranian custody, is now wrapped up in Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz's legal drama. Iran
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran
State Department says Israel 'occupied' West Bank and Gaza A State Department spokesman said it is a "historical fact" that Israel occupied the Palestinian Territories in 1967 following a report from the department that retained some Trump administration language on the issue that is closer to Israel's position. United States
Intel: US pledges nearly $600M in humanitarian aid to Syria The Biden administration is also calling on the UN Security Council to allow the free flow of aid to opposition-held parts of Syria. Syria
In rebuke to Russia, Blinken presses UN to quit politicizing Syria aid Blinken called on the UN Security Council to reauthorize a cross-border aid operation into Syria despite Russian and Chinese opposition. Syria
House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization The resolution will next head to the full House for a vote. Bipartisan support for repealing the authorization pertaining to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq gained steam following the February US airstrikes in Syria, which the president approved without consulting Congress. Iraq
Senators endorse new, broader deal on Iranian policy A group of Democratic and Republican senators asked President Biden to reach an agreement with Iran that restricts Iran's regional and missile policies in addition to its nuclear program. Some US progressives oppose this, and it could be difficult to accomplish with Tehran. Washington Pulse
USAID nominee takes questions on Yemen, Libya, and Israel at Senate hearing Former UN Ambassador Samantha Power, who is nominated to head the US government’s international development agency, was asked about Yemen, Libya and Israel before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Washington Pulse
As Biden reviews drone use, report highlights civilian toll in Yemen A report by an independent Yemen-based organization details the civilian cost of US drone strikes in Yemen. Yemen
Iran’s supreme leader authorized infowar campaign during US election Hezbollah and Russia also spread disinformation to try to influence the 2020 presidential election, a newly released US intelligence report says. Russia