Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns US against planned Hormuz escort mission By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities As Abu Dhabi pulls back long-rolled deposits while investing selectively, Pakistan faces an era of more conditional Gulf support tied to strategic alignment. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Under US pressure, will Lebanon repeal Israel Boycott Law? The 1955 law criminalizes all dealings with Israel, raising questions about how far Beirut can even go with its current engagement, currently at the ambassadorial level. Lebanon
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis How Iran is rebuilding its bruised military as ceasefire masks recalibration By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UN chief optimistic for Lebanon's recovery, questions Syria's future Antonio Guterres cautioned that there is no guarantee the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will hold or lead to a final peace agreement, but he expressed encouragement over Lebanon's election of a president on Jan. 9, following two years of political impasse. Syria
Turkey, Kurds move toward peace deal as lawmakers meet with PKK leader Ocalan Talks with the jailed PKK leader spark hope for ending Turkey's 40-year conflict amid shifting alliances and regional pressures. Turkey
Turkey: Death toll from ski resort blaze rises to 79 As officials continue to play the blame game, the number of people detained as part of the investigation into the disaster has increased to 11. Turkey
With Rubio confirmed, where do Trump's foreign policy picks stand? After a number of hearings last week for key Trump nominees, his national security team is taking shape. United States
Syria’s new government ends Russian lease of Tartous port: What we know The new authorities in Syria ended an agreement with the Russian company managing the key port of Tartous in the latest sign of Russia's waning influence in the country after the fall of the regime. Syria
Exclusive Grossi: Trump open to new Iran nuclear deal, IAEA discussions underway In an interview, International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said his organization was continuing discussions with Iranian officials and hopes to engage with the Trump administration about working out a transparency agreement with Iran. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
How prepared is Iran to engage with the Trump administration? Iran's upper echelons appear to be slowly bridging their gaps over potential dialogue with the new US administration, as the threat of the crippling "maximum pressure" policy looms large. Iran
Four wounded in Tel Aviv stabbing attack by tourist: What we know Police says that the person who attacked four people with a knife in Tel Aviv is a Moroccan national who entered Israel with a US residency permit. Israel
Trump's pick for Pentagon Mideast policy chief signals Iran strategy shift Trump fired his longtime Iran envoy, Brian Hook, and revoked the security clearance of former national security adviser John Bolton. His pick to be the Pentagon’s next Middle East policy chief, Michael DiMino, has a history of opposing the idea of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. United States
Iranian army conducts drill on Afghan border following Trump's inauguration The army said it deployed a new system for countering drones in an effort to boost readiness against militants and Iran’s enemies. Iran
Israel's Herzog warns against 'aura of optimism' over Gaza ceasefire A truce brokered by Qatar and the US, structured in three phases, took effect on Sunday. Israel
Trump’s UN envoy pick Stefanik blasts organization’s 'antisemitic rot' The Republican lawmaker also told senators she believes Israel has a biblical claim to the entire West Bank. United States