Explainer Three ways Democrats could cut off Trump’s Iran war funding With fewer than 20 days on the Senate’s legislative calendar before Democrats take the majority in January, Republicans face an uphill battle to rush funding to the Pentagon ahead of the new Congress. Iran
Analysis As Mossad chief visits US, fears grow Netanyahu could strike Iran to block Eisenkot Israel's opposition leaders fear that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could exploit the transition period to reignite the Iran conflict, thereby delaying or even preventing the formation of a new government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran’s IRGC claims attack on US target in Bahrain: What to know The US military denied that Iran had targeted an early-warning system in Bahrain, saying its forces shot down two Iranian drones headed toward the Gulf island. Iran
Eisenkot meets Netanyahu in bid to avoid Iran strikes Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a security briefing amid opposition concerns that the government could launch a military operation against Iran. Israel
Rubio rejects Iran reparation demand as Trump touts deal momentum By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Can Lebanon handle truth about Hariri, Saudi Arabia? Saad Hariri faces his own court of conscience; US-Iran relations revert to axis of evil days. Saudi Arabia
Details of Abbas' mysterious Saudi trip still scarce Speculation is rife as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas returns from his sudden and unplanned visit to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Putin-Trump statement on Syria contradicts Erdogan’s calculations A joint statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump that there is no military solution in Syria infuriated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria
Is US counseling restraint to Saudi crown prince? Saudi Arabia claims two "acts of war" in one week; Israel and Syria both back the Druze. Saudi Arabia
Congress abandons constraints on Kurdish aid US lawmakers wary of Iraqi Kurds’ independence push have shelved their concerns amid Baghdad’s Iran-backed push to reassert control. Iraq
Shock suspension of Iranian hard-line daily over headline Kayhan, the mouthpiece of Iran’s hard-liners, has been suspended for two days after a headline suggesting that Yemen’s Houthi movement will attack Dubai. Saudi Arabia
EU push to save Iran deal gets frosty reception on Capitol Hill EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini faced a tough audience with Republicans threatening new sanctions on Iran. Congress
Upcoming Putin, Trump talks should prove interesting What is the agenda for the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin? Trump wants to talk North Korea, but Moscow is seeking a broader, more in-depth conversation on the Middle East. Syria
IRGC commander denies Trump claim on Saudi missile attack IRGC commander Mohammad Ali Jafari denied that Iran was involved in the Yemeni missile attack on Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
US optimistic about Mideast peace deal The US administration will soon publish guidelines for restarting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Palestine
House leaders neuter anti-war Yemen bill House leadership has watered down a resolution addressing US support for the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu designing new Jerusalem borders The Greater Jerusalem bill and the Jerusalem proposal by Minister Zeev Elkin risk angering the Trump administration while laboring on its peace initiative. Palestine
