Jordan in an uneasy place over Gulf spat

Despite bitter past relations with Qatar, Jordanian officials avoided taking sides in the latest Gulf spat.

Legacy: Gulf

Kushner bolsters Trump Middle East peace push

By dispatching his son-in-law, the president has made it clear to both sides that he’s serious about wanting a deal. But will that be enough?

Palestine

Ankara voices cautious support as Turkish troops arrive in Doha

A top foreign policy adviser to the Turkish president has publicly defended Qatar in the same breath as the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, while mixed signals from the US administration appear to have caught everyone off guard.

Saudi Arabia

Kurds reaching critical juncture in US partnership

The United States and Kurds currently share a partnership of convenience in Syria, but Kurds are looking ahead warily to the role they might be asked to play as US policy evolves.

Saudi Arabia

Europeans press terror-finance watchdog to extend Iran sanctions reprieve

European countries are pushing a key financial watchdog to suspend sanctions against Iran for a second year to shore up the Iranian economy and the nuclear deal.

United States

Iranian missiles worry Israel

From Israel’s viewpoint, the missiles that Iran launched June 18 failed to hit their target, but demonstrated the missile construction and launching capacities developed by Iran.

Israel

Iranian Reformists lash out over Tillerson's hints at regime change

Iranian Reformists notably join hands in response to the Trump administration’s signals that it is reverting to a policy of regime change toward the Islamic Republic.

United States

Erdogan tones down rhetoric in light of Qatar's fate

Turkey fears it could be next in line to be ostracized in the region due to guilt by association with Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Saudi Arabia

Kurds no safer after US shoots down Syrian jet

Though Syrian Kurds are widely celebrating the US downing of a regime fighter jet, their ally's move has made them a bigger target than ever.

Syria

The geopolitics behind race for eastern Syria

Fast-paced developments between the various players of the Syrian war raise questions about the geopolitical importance of the northeastern region.

Syria

US struggles to calm new Syria flashpoints

Even as the Trump administration says it wants to avoid clashing with Assad and his allies, experts say a lack of a clear US strategy in Syria makes confrontation more likely.

Syria

US attack on Syrian jet puts Putin under pressure

Russia’s response to the US downing of a Syrian plane Sunday was more measured than some observers seem to realize, but the Kremlin’s patience does have its limits.

Syria