Iran, Russia-led bloc move toward free trade

The Iranian government is widening channels of trade with Eurasia and India in an effort to dodge the impacts of reimposed US sanctions.

Russia

US erects observation posts to avert war between Turks, Syrian Kurds

The move highlights the complexity Washington faces in its efforts to maintain a military presence in Syria while appeasing fellow NATO ally Turkey.

Syria

Does the US want a war with Iran over Syria?

Despite Trump’s initial caution about an indefinite military commitment, the risks of the United States getting drawn into the Syria conflict are growing.

Saudi Arabia

US sees renewed leverage over Assad in Syria

The Donald Trump administration is confident that its pressure is eroding the Syrian regime and its allies.

Syria

US, Israeli, Palestinian leaders more hawkish than their peoples

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Palestinian leadership’s stance is more extreme than that of its public, the Israeli leadership’s stance is more extreme than that of the Israeli public and the Trump administration’s stance is far from the American public's position.

Palestine

Senate puzzles out how to punish Saudi Arabia ahead of unprecedented vote

An overwhelming majority of senators want to punish Riyadh for murdering Jamal Khashoggi and because of the Yemen war. The question is how.

Saudi Arabia

US ices Iran out of Yemen talks

Iranian efforts to send a high-level official to Sweden talks with the Houthis have been rebuffed.

Saudi Arabia

Iran says special channel for trade with Europe almost set up

Iranian officials have said that the European Union is in the final stages of implementing a special channel of trade with Iran.

United States

US Syria envoy heads to Turkey after criticizing peace initiative

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu dismissed a call by President Donald Trump’s representative to “pull the plug” on negotiations with Russia and Iran, arguing it’s Syria’s best shot at a political resolution.

Syria

Israel rejects international immigration pact

In rejecting the United Nations new convention on migration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made common cause with right-wing governments in the West but appears to remain at a loss about how to handle illegal immigrants in Israel.

Israel

Will Egyptian move to curb imports stoke inflation?

Egyptian authorities floated the customs foreign exchange rate for non-basic commodities in a move aimed at curbing imports and demand for the US dollar while hopefully boosting local production of substitutes.

Egypt

Israel boycott movement takes on US law enforcement

Several US police departments are ending training in Israel amid pressure from pro-Palestinian activists as pro-Israel groups explore legal countermeasures.

Palestine