Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US strikes Iran tankers as UAE reports fresh missile, drone attacks Strikes on Iranian tankers and fresh exchanges in the Gulf escalate tensions as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a deal proposal. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Pentagon says Iraqi flight ban won’t impact US military assistance to Kurds US arms are getting through to the peshmerga, but crucial aid contractors are getting held up. Iraq
PLO steps up organizing efforts in Palestinian diaspora The Palestinian reconciliation paved the way for the Palestinians in the diaspora to unite as PLO officials and ambassadors are actively working to revive the diaspora. Palestine
Syrian Kurds in uproar over US jabs at PKK leader Some Syrian Kurds are furious over US attempts to placate Turkey at the expense of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, and their angry statements and videos are being shared widely via social media. Syria
Turkey quietly concerned with Russia’s Kurdish policy President Vladimir Putin’s idea for an all-Syria congress incorporating all ethnic groups has raised eyebrows in Ankara. Syria
Anti-US rhetoric helps Erdogan build smokescreens Years of anti-American propaganda help the Turkish president divert blame and discredit damaging news from the West — for example, anything incriminating that might emerge from high-profile cases in the United States involving Iran sanctions. Turkey
Israel, US coordinated on settlement construction Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be able to walk between the raindrops by approving hundreds of new housing units in the West Bank without upsetting the Americans. Palestine
Can Netanyahu say 'no' to Trump? Israeli right-wing ministers forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject a Palestinian reconciliation, even though the Trump administration is determined to support it. Palestine
Are Russia, Iran outflanking the US in Iraq? Russia deftly manages potentially choppy ties with Iran, while the United States claims Iran "subverting Iraq." Iraq
To counter Iranian sway, US promotes Iraqi-Saudi ties Top Trump administration officials say they see countering Iranian influence in Iraq as important to strengthening Baghdad and preventing destabilizing fissures that helped make way for the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia
Egypt key to Palestinian reconciliation The future of Palestinian reconciliation depends more on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi than it does on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Palestine
Following Islamic State ouster, tribes key to stability in eastern Syria After the ouster of the Islamic State from the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria, several issues are expected to complicate efforts to stabilize the region. Syria
Senate challenges House on Western Sahara dispute Senate appropriators want to tighten restrictions on US aid to Morocco-occupied Western Sahara one year after the House first made assistance available. Algeria