What Russia makes of Hifter's offensive on Tripoli

Russia has positioned itself as an impartial middleman in the Libyan crisis, but there's a fine blueprint that defines this position.

United Arab Emirates

Kushner rejects calls to delay release of Mideast peace plan

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said Thursday the Trump administration would issue its Middle East peace plan, though several regional experts have argued that the plan's release would cause more harm.

Palestine

Is Israel reconciled to Assad's staying power?

Turkish defense minister says the United States has "moved closer to our position" on Syria safe zone.

Syria

Deteriorating US-Turkey ties weaken Ankara's hand in other problems

Intensive diplomatic traffic between Athens and Washington that emphasizes military cooperation raises the question of whether the United States is seeking an alternative strategic ally to Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey

Turkey claims progress on Syria safe zone

Despite claims from Ankara that Turkey and the United States are making headway on a safe zone in northern Syria, sources familiar with the talks say no tangible progress had been achieved and that Ankara's positive spin is likely inspired by empty US promises.

Syria

Palestinian rift endangers opposition to US peace plan

Backers of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say the ongoing Palestinian division will only weaken efforts to defy the US peace plan, which is expected to be announced soon.

Palestine

Hamas to form body to foil 'deal of the century'

Hamas has recently announced its intention to form a supreme body with the aim of thwarting the US deal of the century in what some officials say trespasses the prerogatives of the PLO.

Palestine

Democrats move to defund Yemen war after veto defeat

After failing to override a presidential veto on ending US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, Congress is looking for new ways to tie the Trump administration’s hands.

Saudi Arabia

Yemen's divided parliament growing further apart

Literally and figuratively, the two sides of Yemen's split parliament are miles away from each other and show no sign of reconciliation.

Saudi Arabia

Trump allies push back on Muslim Brotherhood terror designation

Even some hawkish lawmakers question the legal validity and political wisdom of a blanket designation.

Egypt

Intel: How Russia and Turkey are growing closer at US expense

The April 30 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan covered a broad range of topics, from trade to military cooperation to Syria, as the two countries continue to grow closer amid US-Turkey tensions.

Syria

US envoy kicks off Syria safe zone talks in Ankara

According to Turkish reports, US Syria envoy Jim Jeffrey discussed the contentious safe zone as well as "operations east of the Euphrates" with officials in Ankara, but deep differences between Turkey and the Syrian Kurds make a deal look just as remote as ever.

Syria