Explainer Israel's Armenian genocide recognition marks new front against Turkey Analysts say the expected vote for recognition is not morally motivated, but intended to spite the Turkish leader. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections; Lebanon cancels national high school exams; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha The US-Iran decision to launch direct talks between the IRGC and CENTCOM in Qatar deepens the rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while heightening Israeli fears that Washington is shifting toward Doha and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump hints at F-35 breakthrough with Turkey ahead of NATO summit The administration is moving ahead with planned jet engine sales to Ankara ahead of next month’s NATO summit despite congressionally mandated sanctions on Turkey's defense industry. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Rubio courts GCC support on Iran deal as UAE warns over Hormuz By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Questions linger on airstrike that killed local police in Iraq's Anbar Truth urged on airstrike that killed Iraqi police officers and injured the mayor in Anbar province. Iraq
Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations Saudi Arabia has hired an international law firm to help negotiate a more favorable civil nuclear agreement with Washington amid pushback in Congress. Saudi Arabia
World financial watchdog keeps punting on Iran Iran had hoped to be removed from an international financial watch list but will have to settle for a continuation of an ambiguous status quo. United States
Turkey's march on Manbij stalled by wall of reality The United States and Russia don't appear to be on the same page as Turkey in Syria, despite Ankara's expectations, which hang in the balance. Syria
US pressure on Hamas risks new era of enmity As Washington moves forward on sanctions to pressure Hamas to accept a US-brokered deal with Israel, the efforts could backfire and spark new violence. Palestine
Congress skeptical of Saudi nuclear energy demands Lawmakers are making it clear that any proposal to share civilian nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia must include robust nonproliferation safeguards. Saudi Arabia
US hits deadlock in Lebanon-Israel border mediation Renewed tension over the demarcation of the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon has the United States engaged in shuttle diplomacy between the countries. Israel
Conference for Iraq draws investors instead of donors The reported success — and failure — of a fundraising effort for Iraq could become a political football in the May general elections. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon stops budgeting for peshmerga salaries The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2019 budget doesn’t specifically dedicate payments for Iraq’s Kurdish fighting force after it stepped back from the front lines of the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Despite progress on paper, Turkey, US still leagues apart US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit may have averted a major clash, but the volatile situation in Syria will ensure that ties between Ankara and Washington remain fragile. Syria
Former Cheney aide will not take Syria envoy post John Hannah, the national security adviser to former Vice President Dick Cheney, has decided to decline the post as the US administration casts about for heavyweight diplomats. Syria
Trump takes center stage in Abbas-Putin talks While the Russian president expressed a desire to play a role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, he made it clear that Washington remains a key party in future talks. Palestine