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
Netanyahu’s dilemma over his annexation plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must now decide whether he wants to go ahead with his annexation plan, or hope that the White House will get him out of it. Palestine
China apparently left out of Israel's 5G network tender The first phase of the tender for building the 5G wireless network in Israel has passed its deadline, with Chinese bidders apparently left out. Israel
Jordan Valley Palestinians watch as Israel imposes authority ahead of looming annexation Israel has intensified its measures in West Bank areas facing the threat of annexation at a time when Palestinians feel the imminence of the annexation project more than ever. Palestine
Intel: House Middle East panel chairman questions Trump’s commitment to two-state solution The chairman of the House’s Middle East panel questioned the Donald Trump administration’s stated commitment to a two-state solution during a Zoom interview with the Israel Policy Forum today. Palestine
Iran officials weigh in on US protests In today's Iran media review, Iranian officials have called out the United States over its response to peaceful protests. United States
Netanyahu says Palestinians must ‘consent’ to Israeli security control The Israeli prime minister also discussed Palestinian citizenship and his critics on the right in an interview with Israel Hayom. Palestine
Intel: Trump administration pursues new Saudi arms deal despite investigation The Donald Trump administration is doubling down with a new arms deal for Saudi Arabia despite an investigation into last year’s $8 billion emergency weapons sale to Riyadh, a key Senate Democrat revealed in a CNN op-ed Wednesday. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump administration defended Iran nuclear waivers as 'restrictions,' then ended them The Donald Trump administration ended sanctions waivers on Iranian nuclear facilities today — a mere two months after characterizing them as “restrictions” on Iran’s nuclear program. Russia
Is Turkey on moderation path in its foreign policy? Conciliatory messages coming out of Ankara recently may appear as an effort to moderate Turkish foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States, Europe and Israel, but they are likely to be just maneuvering to weather the many stalemates in Turkey's foreign ties. Egypt
Intel: Palestinian Authority to suspend cooperation with CIA over US support for Israeli annexation The secretary-general of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, says his government has suspended its contacts with the CIA over the Trump administration’s support for Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Intel: Biden warns against West Bank annexation as Israel lobbies Trump for green light Former Vice President Joe Biden told campaign donors today that any Israeli annexation of the West Bank would “choke off any hope for peace,” according to a transcript of the presumptive Democratic nominee’s remarks seen by Al-Monitor. Palestine
Intel: Trump congratulates Iraq’s new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi President Donald Trump has congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on his confirmation by Iraq’s Council of Representatives. Iraq
