Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire. United States
US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army. Lebanon
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
What Trump really wants for the Mideast The unrealistic statements by US envoy Jason Greenblatt about the Palestinian Authority's ruling the Gaza Strip again might indicate that US President Donald Trump does not have a realistic plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Palestinians want to be called ‘state under occupation’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing a UN resolution proposal that will change the definition of “Palestinian territories under occupation” into “a Palestinian state under occupation.” Palestine
Defying Trump, IAEA says Iran honoring nuclear deal The world atomic energy agency rejected the Trump administration's push to inspect Iranian military sites without a clear reason. Originals
Trump keeps world guessing on Iran deal’s future Even as Iran hawks complain they are shut out from the White House, proponents of the nuclear deal are not confident they will prevail with the president. Russia
Rouhani: Trump lacks means to pressure Iran Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States is no longer able to isolate and pressure Iran. Saudi Arabia
Russia weighs in on Bannon-free White House Analysts examine what foreign policy changes Washington might make concerning the Mideast now that Steve Bannon is gone, and what that could mean for Moscow. Syria
The more Trump sinks, the more Turkey’s currency and government recover Discouraged by the US president’s dismal performance, global short-term investors are returning to emerging economies, including Turkey, boosting Ankara’s economic and political prospects in critical times. Turkey
Will Zarif, Tillerson meet for session on nuclear deal? A possible Iranian request for a meeting about the nuclear deal would set up the first talk between the Iranian and American foreign ministers since the election of President Donald Trump. United States
What Iran-Qatar reset means for Syria Iran adds another “Sunni” power to its regional network; Turkey ponders next moves in Idlib; Israel presents the “big picture” on Iran in Washington and Sochi, Russia; Akiva Eldar on Israel’s silence over Charlottesville. Saudi Arabia
Trump sends personal message to Abbas via Kushner The personal message from US President Donald Trump about his commitment to the peace process, delivered by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, softened the stance of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Russia, US to maintain contacts on Syria despite sanctions US and Russian officials will try to maintain contacts concerning world hotspots within the limits imposed by US sanctions on the Kremlin. Syria
US expected to recertify Iran compliance with nuclear deal The secretaries of state and defense appear to have overruled Iran hawks in the White House and Congress. United States
