In Qatar, Pakistan’s Sharif seeks to bolster trade ties, woo foreign capital The South Asian country is seeking to attract international investment as it recovers from a severe economic crisis. Qatar
Analysis Israel fears Trump will clear path for partial Iran deal on nuclear standoff Israel is concerned that a limited American strike on Iran, followed by negotiations, would lead to a partial nuclear deal that excludes the ballistic missile and proxy issues. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US pulls non-essential embassy staff from Lebanon as Iran tensions rise The US State Department has ordered non-essential US government personnel and their family members to leave the embassy in Lebanon. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US partners shy away as Pentagon readies for potential strikes against Iran Turkey and the United Kingdom are the latest among Washington’s military partners seeking to distance themselves from being tied to any planned strikes against Iran. United States
Analysis Despite warnings from Israel's defense elite, Netanyahu pushes for Iran strike By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Feature After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
France's seizure of Iranian weapons to Yemen is a win for Pentagon French forces seized some 3,000 assault rifles, 23 anti-tank rockets and more than half a million rounds of ammunition bound for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran
US CENTCOM pulls closer to Israeli military as Mossad tests Iran Training exercise represents the tightest collaboration ever, but CENTCOM's deputy commander told Al-Monitor the US had no involvement in recent strikes attributed to Israel in Isfahan, Iran and eastern Syria. Israel
Chad President to inaugurate new embassy in Israel, as Netanyahu opens to Africa "Israel’s coming back to Africa and Africa [is] coming back to Israel," Netanyahu told Chadian President Mahamat Deby ahead of opening embassy on Thursday. Israel
Israel's Netanyahu to meet Macron in Paris amid Iran tension Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Paris on Thursday to meet with the French leader. Israel
US warns Americans in Turkey of 'imminent terrorist' attacks The US Embassy in Ankara updated its previous security alert warning its nationals against potential "retaliatory attacks" in response to Quran-burning protests in Europe. Turkey
NATO wants Israel to 're-examine' its aid to Ukraine NATO and Israel are closer than even before on the issue of the Iranian threat but not yet on the same page over assisting Ukraine. Israel
Nine Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Jenin ahead of Blinken visit Only four days before the arrival to Israel of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, tensions in the West Bank between Israeli security agencies and Palestinian groups increases. Israel
US to provide $72 million in salaries for Lebanon’s cash-strapped army, police Washington's support for Lebanese military staff comes nearly two years after country's top general warned of desertions and his troops' inability to afford food. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US, Israel kick off largest ever military exercise as Iran nuclear talks falter As Iran turns to Russia for advanced fighter jets, the race is on to ensure the United States can actually stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — and to dissuade the new Israeli government from acting unilaterally. Israel
Iran leans on Russia, hopes for Sukhoi sale as EU pressure mounts Tehran is increasingly boosting its military ties with Moscow, hoping for Sukhoi sale, amid dim prospects for the revival of the nuclear deal and a wave of fresh sanctions over its crackdown on dissent at home. Iran
Iran, expanding Abraham Accords top Netanyahu's meeting with Jake Sullivan Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, in a bid to coordinate positions on Iran and prepare for a trip by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Israel
Analysis Who is Ronen Levy, Shin Bet’s shadow man and Israel’s new foreign ministry chief? Ronen Levy, previously known only as "Maoz," is emerging from his career as a shadowing intelligence figure and conduit to Arab leaders, to become director general of Israel's Foreign Ministry. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
