After US designation of Brotherhood, Sudan asks to add RSF to terror list The Specially Designated Global Terrorist label entails economic sanctions against the group, including an assets freeze, while the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation criminalizes providing material support for it. Sudan
New Zealand slaps 40 Iran officials with sanctions over protest crackdown New Zealand is the latest country after Australia, the United States, Germany and others to sanction Iran over the crackdown. Iran
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
Canada becomes latest Western country to lift Syria sanctions: What to know Like the US, Canada had strained relations with Syria during the civil war but is now showing signs of engagement. Syria
Analysis Despite Israeli concerns, sources say Trump giving Iran talks up to 2 months By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Oman talks leave Israel unsure of Trump's endgame as missile threat persists By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran’s next moves depend on US Iran is likely to choose a measured response to US actions, as long as Washington does the same in return, while at the same time trying to increase US costs of staying in the region. United States
Senate Armed Services Chairman Inhofe endorses Iraq sanctions Key Republican leaders are lining up behind President Donald Trump’s threats to hit Iraq with crippling sanctions. Iraq
Could Congress' latest Syria sanctions bill backfire? The congressional bill will exacerbate the economic situation in Syria and ultimately increase Syria’s dependency on Iran. Syria
Budget plan reveals Iran’s shifting priorities in foreign policy Iran’s proposed budget for next year, in the face of a shrinking economy, reflects its Foreign Ministry’s diminished role in critical political and economic aspects of foreign policy. Iran
Russia weighs two reconstruction strategies for Syria In the face of US sanctions, Moscow is considering whether the outsourcing of reconstruction efforts for Syria may be better for Russia than a long-term presence. Syria
Inside the US-Iran prisoner swap, and what comes next Can Washington and Tehran build on the success of the Swiss facilitated exchange? United States
Facing US sanctions, credit-fueled Turkish economy heads toward turbulence Through measures to free up capital flows, Turkey’s economy weathered the 2018 currency crisis, but analysts remain uncertain the nation’s markets can absorb more shocks as US sanctions loom. Turkey
Turkey slams US defense bill as sanctions loom The US Senate passed a defense bill with several measures deemed hostile by Ankara officials, signaling Capitol Hill’s intent to move forward with sanctions on Turkey. Turkey
Intel: How Trump continues to restrict humanitarian trade with Iran The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday sanctioned Tehran’s biggest airline and shipping network, charging them with transporting Iranian weapons in a move that could further restrict the flow of humanitarian goods into Iran. United States
Could Turkey bar US military from Incirlik air base? Faced with the resurging threat of sanctions in the US Congress, Ankara has brandished another trump card, warning that the US military could lose access to two key bases in Turkey. Turkey
Iran braces for harsh times under new budget Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presented a draft budget to parliament. Originals
US sanctions three Iran-backed militia leaders for violence against Iraq protesters The United States will impose sanctions on three leaders of Iran-backed Iraqi militias that have committed human rights abuses against Iraqi protesters. Iraq