Newsletter: Daily Briefing Araghchi warns Israel as US, Iran hold technical talks in Doha Syria unveils its transitional parliament appointees; Kuwait’s Zain plans a major telecom investment in postwar Syria; and North Africa’s World Cup teams make history. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild While the deal with Lebanon allows the Israeli military to maintain a presence there, security experts warn that it also gives the weakened Hezbollah the time it needs to recover. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
CENTCOM chief in Lebanon as Israel prepares partial withdrawal steps The Lebanese military is expected to move into Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after Israeli forces withdraw. Lebanon
Traffic plummets through Strait of Hormuz after Iran, US trade fire Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had recovered somewhat before renewed fighting between Iran and the United States saw traffic drop sharply over the weekend. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran, US to meet in Doha Tuesday By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump seeks to slash funding for UN missions in Mideast The State Department budget is seeking across-the-board cuts to international peacekeeping missions worldwide. Lebanon
Global spy malware traced back to Lebanese security A recent report revealed that a malware campaign was mainly being operated by Lebanon's General Directorate of General Security, raising questions about the privacy of the country's citizens. Lebanon
Despite defeat of IS, Syria war risks major power conflict The United States and Russia should abandon "proxy wars" and back a new UN Security Council resolution for a regional peace conference. Israel
Tillerson travels to Middle East to talk post-IS stability Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey next week. But veteran diplomats warn that US goals for Syria need to be scaled back. Egypt
Israel’s power show on northern border aimed at Hezbollah The visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the northern border and the extensive paratrooper drill last week sends a clear message to Lebanon and Hezbollah: Israel is prepared for an attack. Israel
Has Israel opened the Lebanese front in its battle with Hamas? An assassination attempt in Sidon against a Hamas military leader appears to have been a pre-emptive Israeli strike warning his movement against attacking it from Lebanon. Palestine
Will Europe be there when Israel needs it? If the Israeli government expects the international community to heed the “serious threat” posed by Iranian activity in the region, it must be prepared to discuss the serious threat posed by Israeli activity in the Palestinian territories it occupies. Palestine
Lebanon gears up for a 'realignment' election Is the excessive and precarious pandering to voters ahead of Lebanon's first parliamentary elections since 2009 a prelude to a post-election realignment of the political system? Lebanon
Artists use calligraphy to bring together hostile neighbors in Lebanon's Tripoli Lebanese graffiti artist duo Ashekman have created a 1-mile-long message of peace on Tripoli's rooftops to unite two estranged neighborhoods in the city. Lebanon
Beirut's movie boycott hurts Lebanon more than Israel Several big-name films have been banned in the past two years in Lebanon, and some say the censorship is outdated, haphazard and harmful to the country's own film industry. Israel
Is Israel prepping its public for third Lebanon war? Israel is multiplying its diplomatic efforts against Hezbollah’s missile project, while examining possibilities of preventive strikes. Israel
Is Hamas setting up military force in Golan Heights? Israel has accused Hamas of working on setting up a military force in the Syrian Golan Heights at the request of Iran. Palestine