US revokes Iran oil waiver after Hormuz attacks The United States had issued the two-month sanctions waiver as part of its preliminary deal with Iran. Iran
Analysis Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel Israel fears that Washington may be shifting its strategic options toward Turkey as the two rivals push for regional hegemony. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale The US president has announced that sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile batteries will be lifted. Turkey
Analysis As it hosts NATO, Turkey eyes France's SAMP/T system, F-35 progress with Trump Turkey is set to host NATO leaders as doubts over US commitment linger prompting Ankara to seeks its own defense deals with Paris and Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran mourns Khamenei as questions swirl over Mojtaba’s absence By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why is Russian military skeptical about US claim of Baghdadi's killing? The Russian military's incredulity about the US raid that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has some basis in practical reasons that go beyond just "great power jealousy." Iraq
Kurds use Syria incursion to chip away at Erdogan The Syrian Democratic Forces, after having contributed to the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as well as an IS spokesman, push for a greater US condemnation of Turkey's latest incursion into Syria. Syria
Sanders runs to left of J Street and 2020 opponents on aid to Israel Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is calling for broad conditions on US military aid to Israel as many of his opponents come out in favor of more limited restrictions. Palestine
Turkey lobby goes to bat against Armenian genocide bill Ankara and its allies are warning that this week’s vote would "poison" the already strained bilateral relationship. Turkey
Turkey steps up campaign against SDF's Kobane Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazlum Kobane helped the United States track down and kill Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, but Turkey claims he is of the same ilk. Syria
US set for risky IS mission with leader’s death in Syria Saturday’s raid that took the life of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi offered a preview of what’s to come for the slimmed-down, US-led fight against IS, officials and experts say, which is now set to focus extensively on targeting the group’s leaders from larger US bases in Iraq and American units in Syria. Iraq
US troops leaving Syria can't stay in Iraq, Baghdad says Despite Washington's willingness to keep its troops in Iraq after withdrawing them from Syria, Baghdad has told the United States to get them out in short order. Iraq
Kurdish leader's rising profile with US, Russia angers Turkey The Turkish government has kicked off a campaign to demonize Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazlum Kobane after the latter's recent conversations with the US president and top Russian officials. Syria
Islamic State leader dead in US raid Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during a raid in northwestern Syria, says President Donald Trump. Iraq
How Lebanon is setting the standard for a new social contract in the Middle East Sectarianism gives way to economics and governance. Lebanon
Sanctions experts say new US Treasury measure could inhibit humanitarian trade with Iran The US Treasury's new Iran "humanitarian" mechanism is seen by experts as a tool to inform new sanctions on the country. United States
Syrian Kurdish commander sparks fresh US-Turkish row Mazlum Kobane, the chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, may visit Washington — a move that would likely prompt Turkish calls for his extradition. Syria