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
Why rejoining Iran nuclear deal isn’t so easy, even if Biden wins A new Iran deal should consider the “gold standard” energy pact by the UAE and include a regional dialogue on the peaceful use of nuclear power. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Menendez opposes resolution to immunize Sudan from terror lawsuits The Trump administration is looking to unilaterally take Sudan off the US terror sponsors' list amid a logjam over the issue in Congress, jeopardizing victims' compensation, in an apparent effort to get Sudan to recognize Israel ahead of the Nov. 3 US election. Israel
Senate Democrats say Trump administration policy has empowered Iran The State Department also announced new sanctions on Iran including on the judge who purportedly ordered the execution of famed wrestler Navid Afkari. Congress
An open letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Yossi Beilin, who participated in the back-channel negotiations leading the 1993 Oslo Accord, pens an open letter to the Palestinian president calling on him to stay focused on making peace. Palestine
Intel: US push to get Sudan to recognize Israel faces setback Sudan's government is asking for $3 billion in emergency economic aid Israel
US deploys Bradley armored vehicles to Syria after dustups with Russia’s troops Four US service members were injured last month when a Russian troop carrier rammed a US military vehicle. Syria
Trump administration leveraged terror designation to push Sudan to recognize Israel Last minute White House gambit risked efforts to obtain compensation for families of victims of the 1998 embassy bombings, sources tell Al-Monitor. Israel
Israel’s Gulf diplomacy and its discontents As Israel and its new regional partners begin trade talks, Palestinians, Israeli Arabs and the Israeli left are on the sidelines. United Arab Emirates
How a second Trump term could shift Russia’s stance on Syria Bahrain, UAE peace deals compel Palestinian rethink on strategy. United Arab Emirates
Biden endorses lower troop levels in Iraq, fight against IS in interview Joe Biden told Stars and Stripes he wants to stop "forever wars" but keep some troops in Iraq and Syria. His opponent, Donald Trump, also pledges to withdraw more troops. United States
Netanyahu hails Bahrain-Israel normalization deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi thank US President Donald Trump and his team for their engagement in the region and the announcement of an agreement with Bahrain to normalize relations. United Arab Emirates
Netanyahu gives up on private-plane ride to Washington With criticism pouring in from all sides, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandons his plan to travel to Washington on a private plane. Israel
