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
Why Turkey’s pro-government media likes Trump Despite Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, Turks appear to be supporting him for president of the United States. Turkey
Capitol Hill raises alarm on coming Mosul onslaught Congress’ human rights panel urged the Obama administration to make Iraqi civilians a priority. Iraq
Iran emerges as a top issue in tight congressional races The pro-Iran deal J Street is spending $500,000 to unseat nuclear deal opponents. Israel
Turkey-Iraq squabbles threaten Mosul campaign The dispute between Turkey and Iraq over the presence of Turkish troops near Mosul is threatening to derail the impending offensive to free the city from the Islamic State. Iraq
Iranians see Trump as dangerous — but to Iran or the US? Given the harsh rhetoric of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton toward Iran, which candidate do Iranians prefer to be the next US president? United States
US gives up on working with Russia on Syria The United States announced Oct. 3 it was suspending bilateral engagement with Russia on Syria, saying there was nothing more to talk about as Russia intensified its air attacks on Aleppo. Syria
Turkey-US ties could fray further as Pentagon mulls arming YPG Already rocky relations between Turkey and the United States are likely to worsen if the White House approves an expected Pentagon request to provide more weapons to the People's Protection Units. Syria
Will PMU attack US troops in Iraq? Factions of the Popular Mobilization Units are threatening to target US troops taking part in the battle for Mosul, but the Iraqi government is working to smooth over tensions. Iraq
US elections 2016: Clinton wins first debate, but does it matter? Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Sept. 26. United States
How will debate performance impact ratings for Clinton, Trump? With post-debate polls giving Hillary Clinton a slight lead, Donald Trump is under pressure to prepare more, focus more and attack Clinton more in the next debate. United States
US threatens to halt talks with Russia on Syria Washington has threatened to suspend US-Russian engagement on Syria if Moscow does not take immediate steps to halt a Russian-backed Syrian regime assault on rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Syria
Congress sends Riyadh 'signal' with vote to allow terror lawsuits Congress defeated President Barack Obama's effort to shield the US ally from terrorism-related lawsuits. Saudi Arabia