Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords. Israel
Brent crude sails past $100 as Middle East war intensifies The Iran war escalated this week as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked four southern Saudi Arabian cities and oil facilities. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies Skeptical about the effectiveness of the American economic blockade on Tehran to weaken the regime, Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could decide to strike the Jewish state during the upcoming high holidays. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south The escalation in southern Lebanon casts a shadow over upcoming Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome. Lebanon
Analysis Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US elections 2016: Don't bury the GOP just yet Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Oct. 10. United States
Where does Turkey's Erdogan stand on US presidential race? According to the Turkish president, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lacks political experience. Turkey
The Hifter effect on the battle for Libya's Sirte The expected liberation of Sirte in the near future is overshadowed by Khalifa Hifter, the commander of the Libyan National Army, steadily gaining power and territory through the militarization of the governance of much of eastern Libya. Libya
Obama’s three diplomatic options for Mideast peace Both Israelis and Palestinians object to a diplomatic move by US President Barack Obama: the Palestinians object to a presidential speech, while the Israelis object to a UN General Assembly resolution. Palestine
Will Obama push for Yemen cease-fire? The United States, which fired cruise missiles at rebel radar sites in Yemen on Oct. 13 after missiles were fired at a US warship, needs to push for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Yemen before things get even more out of hand. Legacy: Gulf
Sudan FM 'confident' Ethiopia dam won’t harm Egypt In a wide-ranging interview, Sudan's foreign minister defends his country's actions on Darfur and said dialogue to further ease US economic sanctions on Sudan continues. Egypt
Turkey’s Islamists can’t get enough of Lindsay Lohan US celebrity Lindsay Lohan has become an unlikely promoter of Turkey. Syria
What US-Russia fallout means for Syria A collapsing US-Russia relationship could have profound consequences for Syria’s civil war and the Middle East. Syria
Turks blame US, Iran for encouraging Baghdad against Ankara Turkey's opinion-makers think Iraq isn’t acting alone in its calls for Turkish troops to leave a camp near Mosul. Iraq
Finance minister says Iran seeks 'resilient' economy Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayebnia tells Al-Monitor that Iran is boosting non-oil exports, unifying its exchange rate and increasing the independence of its Central Bank and that remaining US sanctions are the main impediment to Iranian-American investment. United States
UN Syria envoy: Jabhat al-Nusra holding Aleppo ‘hostage’ De Mistura calls on Jabhat al-Nusra, Russia and Syria to end fighting in Aleppo; why is Erdogan mostly mum on Aleppo? Syria
Focus shifts to second Trump-Clinton debate US voters — and Republican and Democratic party officials — will be closely watching the second presidential debate on Sunday, Oct. 9. United States