Trump’s Gaza plan stalls as Hamas resists disarmament The militant group appears to be stalling as the mediators push it to accept a US-backed disarmament proposal. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says removing Iran’s uranium is more about optics Trump downplays Iran uranium removal after China talks, the UAE moves to bypass Hormuz and Iraq ends months of political deadlock. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof's accusations of systematic sexual abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners, calling the claims a "blood libel." United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump, Xi discuss Hormuz, but no Iran breakthrough expected Trump and Xi opened talks in Beijing with the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz high on the agenda, while Lebanon and Israel prepared for a new round of US-mediated negotiations. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Iran looks to China as guarantor — but with reservations By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Moscow's shifting strategy in Yemen With the recent appointment of Ahmed Salem al-Wahishi as Yemen's ambassador to Russia, Moscow finds itself in a strong position to lead a political solution to the Yemen conflict. Saudi Arabia
New congressional sanctions tie Trump’s hands on cooperation with Russia The House passed legislation today that could impact US-Russia cooperation on Syria and curb Russian arms sales to the Middle East. Syria
Congress closes in on first new Iran sanctions since nuclear deal Tehran has vowed to retaliate if a US bill imposing additional sanctions on Iran becomes law. United States
Turkey needs new Syria plan as CIA ends rebel support The US decision to pull the plug from the CIA’s training and equipment program for the Syrian opposition will affect Turkey’s plans for Idlib in northern Syria. Syria
Iran in no mood to renegotiate nuclear deal Iranian officials have rejected the possibility of renegotiating the nuclear deal and appear to be making contingency plans should the United States renege on it. United States
The motives behind Turkey's decision to reveal US military intel Turkish anger over US weapons being used by the Kurdistan Workers Party against its soldiers may be the leading cause behind the leak by its state-run news agency. Turkey
Trump administration looks to Oman for help navigating Middle East US officials, while wary about Oman's ties with Iran, seek Oman's assistance in resolving Qatar dispute. Legacy: Gulf
Will Netanyahu enforce Syrian red line against Iran? Israel opposes cease-fire plan, as Russia, Turkey and Syria inch toward possible agreement on Afrin. Syria
With IS on the way out, Iraqi power struggles pose major threat As Iraq struggles to contain pockets of Islamic State resistance following the liberation of Mosul, political differences and a power struggle between domestic groups threaten more conflict. Iraq
Next Israel-Hezbollah confrontation could be in Syria While the cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan seems to be holding for now in southern Syria, it might not last for long given the Israeli-Iranian rivalry in the region. Israel
Palestinians, Israelis disappointed over US envoy's talks The Palestinian leadership believes that much of the Trump administration’s efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian issue are focused on economic confidence-building measures, not advancing the two-state solution. Palestine
Hezbollah not concerned about cease-fire deal in Syria The cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in south Syria does not seem to worry the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, which is widely involved in the Syrian war, like it worries its archenemy Israel. Israel