Exclusive Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria announces capture of senior ISIS official near Manbij: What to know Abu Jihad al-Muhajir is the highest-profile alleged Islamic State official captured by Syrian government forces since US troops withdrew from the country in April. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation. Jordan
US general meets Lebanon’s army chief as ceasefire with Israel teeters Control over a strategic ridge overlooking Nabatieh is emerging as a flashpoint between the Israeli military and Lebanon ahead of the next expected round of negotiations in September. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon’s new foreign military training proposal greeted with skepticism in Congress The Pentagon wants Congress to establish a new training program for foreign military officers, but some congressional appropriators say it duplicates a State Department program. Congress
Intel: US, Italy to co-host virtual meeting of anti-IS coalition Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Italian counterpart, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, will co-host a virtual meeting for members of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State on June 4, the State Department announced today. Iraq
Intel: Congress advances trans-Sahara security bill as Pentagon mulls Africa troop drawdown The Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week unanimously advanced long-stalled legislation to formally institutionalize a counterterrorism partnership with numerous North African and Sahel states. North Africa
Intel: Congress advances key Israel military aid bill Congress is zeroing in on final passage of a 2-year-old military aid bill for Israel. Israel
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: US contracts Boeing to build new cruise missiles for Saudi Arabia, Qatar The US Navy awarded Boeing a nearly $2 billion contract Wednesday to provide Saudi Arabia with 650 new land attack cruise missiles, as well as to upgrade existing ones by the end of 2028. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Iraq’s Peshmerga Ministry pushes for joint security talks with Baghdad The Peshmerga Ministry of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region said it will send a delegation to Baghdad to discuss security cooperation and the situation in the disputed territories. Iraq
Five priorities for the US-Iraq strategic dialogue include recognizing regional role for Iraq US diplomacy during Iraqi transition sets tone for relationship. Iraq
Pentagon waiting out coronavirus to invite allies back to Iraq The US commander of Operation Inherent Resolve hopes allied forces will return to Iraq once the COVID-19 crisis subsides. Iraq
Israel demands UN expand peacekeeping mission in Lebanon Ahead of the renewal for the UNIFIL mandate this summer, and with tensions at the border increasing, Israel wants rules in place so that UN peacekeepers can be more effective. Israel
Was Trump’s call about oil with Saudi leader the start of a reset in relations? US-Saudi partnership faces both old and new challenges in post-COVID-19 Middle East. Saudi Arabia
