Analysis China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda. By Joyce Karam
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon raise new doubts over a fragile ceasefire ahead of expected talks in Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Lebanon, Israel eye third round of talks, but no Netanyahu-Aoun meeting in sight The US appears to be pushing for a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Lebanese government says it won't happen while Israel continues to launch attacks on Lebanon. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks A tentative diplomatic opening with Iran emerges as the US sustains its pressure campaign. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns US Hormuz mission risks truce as Pentagon says it holds By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkey wants its share of Syria’s reconstruction Turkey is bargaining with Russia for the reconstruction of Aleppo and to promote field projects in order to get a share in the reconstruction efforts of the war-torn country. Syria
Israel's nationality law knows no boundaries Israel's new nationality law undermines its prospects of being a state like any other, with recognized boundaries, living in peace and security with its neighbors. Palestine
Who is at the sharp end of Turkey’s currency crisis? After years of bold borrowing from abroad, Turkish conglomerates, including government cronies, are sitting on a powder keg as the country’s currency turmoil keeps augmenting their debt repayment woes. Turkey
Erdogan sneers at Trump as Turkey lines up new friends Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at US President Donald Trump in what some analysts say is a bid to scapegoat the United States for an impending economic collapse, but he's more likely motivated by the ongoing probes into Turkey's Halkbank. Turkey
Khamenei says no talks with current US administration Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would not negotiate with the Trump administration. United States
Iran readjusts its Syria strategy amid Russia’s changing role Having achieved military victory in the key southwestern region of Syria, Iran is actively maneuvering to redefine its approach to securing its aims in the war-torn country. Israel
Iran-Iraq tensions rise as Tehran demands war compensation Tensions between Baghdad and Tehran grow after Iraq's prime minister said his country would abide by US sanctions against Iran, while the latter demands compensation for damages in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War. Iraq
Did Trump’s double-speak ‘blow’ chances of Rouhani meeting? The Iranian and US presidents are slated to address the UN General Assembly on the same day next month — but the prospect of direct talks between the two leaders remains dim given the harsh rhetoric and contradictory stances of the US administration. United States
Survey suggests Palestinian radicalization driven by lack of hope A recent poll indicates a slight increase in support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Fatah, mainly due to US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but those numbers are countered by signs pointing to growing radicalization and lack of hope. Palestine
Turkey’s Christians divided over 'freedom' declaration A declaration by non-Muslim spiritual leaders in support of Ankara has exposed in-house divisions in Christian communities. Turkey
Turkey’s time running out in Idlib Syrian Kurds could be a wild card in a possible showdown between Damascus and Ankara; Russia keeps the peace, for now, on the Israel-Syria border; Israel may have opened a new front of secret assassinations; the political economy of Iran’s protests. Israel
Turkish lira plunges as Trump hits Ankara with increased tariffs US President Donald Trump's tweeted promise to double tariffs on steel and aluminum has pushed Turkey's currency into yet another tumble. Turkey