'Let Syria take care of Hezbollah': Trump criticizes Israel, leans on Sharaa to help in Lebanon President Donald Trump insisted he has a great relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but criticized the scale of Israel’s strikes in Lebanon. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US deal requires Israeli forces to leave Lebanon Tehran says the US-Iran agreement must include Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, while Gulf states cautiously back the framework to end months of war and disruption. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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? By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
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
AIPAC gets Democrats to help Trump chip away at nuclear deal AIPAC is marshaling significant bipartisan backing for a bid to extend the Iran nuclear deal’s first sunset provision as hawks push for snapback sanctions at the United Nations. United States
Pentagon says Patriot sale to Turkey still on table The United States is reportedly still considering supplying Patriot missile systems to Turkey in what the administration may see as an opportunity to convince Ankara to walk back from the Russian system it acquired last year. Syria
US not planning to send new weapons to Turkey for Syria campaign The State Department clarifies its special envoy's remarks that the United States would be supplying ammunition to Turkey — which has been engaged in battle in Idlib, Syria — saying only that the United States is considering Turkish requests for assistance. Syria
Iran risks confrontation with Turkey over Idlib While Iran's military command in Syria has issued direct warnings aimed at Turkey, President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian foreign ministry continue to insist on the role of diplomacy and dialogue. Lebanon
Iran rallies religious leaders to expel US forces from Iraq While US policy takes its toll on Iran, the regime is seeking to increase pressure on Washington to exit the region, and particularly Iraq, by consolidating anti-American sentiment. Iraq
Opposition to Bernie Sanders draws out bipartisan unity at AIPAC AIPAC has struggled to maintain its bipartisan stature on Capitol Hill recently, but rallying Democrats and Republicans against Bernie Sanders has given it a new opportunity. Palestine
Pentagon says US will not retaliate for Turkey in Syria The United States will not take direct action in Syria despite a dramatic uptick in violence and calls for an immediate no-fly zone over Idlib, which would require the Pentagon to take out aircraft and airfields. Syria
Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield against Syrian forces Turkey has downed two Syrian jets in launching Operation Spring Shield while also sending refugees to the Greek border. Syria
Intel: Trump administration seeks to extend UN arms embargo on Iran Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress today that the United States will appeal to the international community to extend the United Nations arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in October under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. United States
Hook to Al-Monitor: 'Diplomatic malpractice' to let UN arms ban on Iran expire this year Top US diplomat Brian Hook tells Al-Monitor they are "looking at what we can do” to assist the Iranian people during the coronavirus outbreak and he has confidence in the new Swiss humanitarian channel, but "the regime has first responsibility to its own people." United States
Trump helped Netanyahu with election, but now Bibi's on his own President Donald Trump did all that he could to ensure that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won yesterday’s election, but now that the votes are in, Israel can't count on his support for any unilateral moves. Israel
Intel: Trump administration eases humanitarian trade restrictions on Iran amid coronavirus fears The Donald Trump administration slightly eased sanctions on Iran today to allow for trade in medical supplies and food as Tehran struggles to respond to the coronavirus outbreak throughout the country. United States