Analysis Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis France seeks to bolster Lebanon's army through UNIFIL coordination, donor conference France believes that the key to stabilizing the region is bolstering the Lebanese military so it can regain control over the south of the country. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syria seizes anti-aircraft missiles near Iraqi border: What to know The Syrian government is stepping up efforts to combat arms smuggling, including in relation to Hezbollah, Kurdish-led forces and ISIS. Syria
Italy pledges to maintain troops in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL withdrawal Italy plays a crucial role in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, with an Italian leading its command and the country contributing over 1,000 troops to the mission. Lebanon
Analysis How Netanyahu ceded to Trump, agreed to Egypt's $35B gas deal By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Turkey rebuffs air-defense criticism after drone shot down near Ankara By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Biden administration pauses arms sales to Gulf pending review The freeze includes the F-35 deal for the United Arab Emirates and bombs for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Israeli minister makes first ever visit to Sudan Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen met with a top Sudanese leader, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and invited him to visit Israel. Israel
UAE confirms F-35 agreement inked with Trump administration The weapons package, which includes dozens of the stealth fighter jets, drones and other munitions, is valued at $23 billion. United Arab Emirates
Congress approves waiver for Lloyd Austin to become defense secretary The Senate is expected to confirm the former CENTCOM commander as Pentagon chief Friday. Congress
What Democrats' Senate majority means for the Mideast Incoming Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez opposed the Iran nuclear deal and has been a proponent of the US recognizing the Armenian genocide. Congress
Under Biden, US-Turkey relations face delicate balancing act Analysts expect the Joe Biden administration to take a harder stance than the Trump administration did on diverging US-Turkey policies, while noting Washington will also need to take pains to avoid alienating the key NATO ally. Turkey
United Arab Emirates signs deal to buy F-35s, drones just before Biden sworn in President Joe Biden has suggested his administration might review or impose conditions on arms sales, but it is not yet clear he will oppose the deal. United Arab Emirates
Blinken: 'Vitally important' to engage with Israel, Gulf on Iran nuclear deal Antony Blinken also said the administration would immediately review the terror designation of Yemen's Houthi rebels. Legacy: Gulf
Bahraini king receives award from Trump US President Donald Trump reportedly gave the prestigious Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Bahrain
Egypt dodges Trump’s ire as White House orders massive last-minute aid cuts The outgoing president briefly sought to freeze all US military aid to Egypt over its purchase of Russian military hardware, but the White House revised the decision before notifying Congress, Al-Monitor's sources said. Egypt
Trump orders US Central Command to include Israel amid strategic shift The decision caps the outgoing administration's efforts to build a regional defense arrangement to counter Iran. Israel
Pentagon’s top policy official meets Saudi Arabia’s deputy defense minister in Riyadh Anthony Tata sat down with Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday, but details of the discussion remain unclear. Saudi Arabia
