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
Intel: Top adviser signals Biden would keep troops in Syria as leverage Under a Joe Biden presidency, the United States would retain a military presence in northeast Syria as leverage against the regime, the presumptive Democratic nominee’s top foreign policy adviser suggests. Syria
Intel: US sanctions Iran’s interior minister over deadly protests The United States slapped fresh sanctions and visa restrictions on 12 Iranian officials and entities, most accused of serious human rights abuses, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday. United States
Intel: Pompeo refused interview on Saudi arms sale investigation before firing Linick Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused to give an interview for State Department Inspector General Steve Linick’s investigation into a massive Saudi arms sale deal before asking President Donald Trump to fire the watchdog, Al-Monitor has learned. Saudi Arabia
Israel’s new foreign minister has other, higher ambitions For Gabi Ashkenazi, his appointment as Israel’s new foreign minister is just the first step in his expected political soar. Israel
Israeli-Chinese ties scrutinized by US Washington might soon demand that Israel pick a side in the security and trade conflict between the United States and China. Israel
Intel: Biden warns against West Bank annexation as Israel lobbies Trump for green light Former Vice President Joe Biden told campaign donors today that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would “choke off any hope for peace,” according to a transcript of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s remarks seen by Al-Monitor. Palestine
Intel: China tangled in US sanctions web for ties to Iran’s Mahan Air The United States sanctioned a China-based company today for providing “general sales agent services” for Iran’s Mahan Air. United States
Intel: Pompeo, Cavusoglu discuss US-Turkey coronavirus cooperation Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed US-Turkish COVID-19 cooperation during a phone call with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday. Turkey
Israel’s Benny Gantz, a defense minister with expiration date New Defense Minister Benny Gantz has a year and a half in front of him to prepare for the role of prime minister. Israel
Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva receives Chinese approval for new Huntington's treatment The approval to provide the tablets in China that treat the deadly neurological disease is the second in the world after the United States. Israel
Intel: Saudi arms sale probe factored in Trump's firing of watchdog President Donald Trump fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick last week in part because of an investigation into an $8 billion emergency arms sales for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a source on Capitol Hill told Al-Monitor. Saudi Arabia
FBI finds al-Qaeda link in Pensacola naval base shooter’s iPhone Recently unlocked phones show the man who killed three people at a Florida naval base had likely been in contact with al-Qaeda. United States