Oman's sultan meets Macron in first France visit since 1989: What to know French President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing against any form of toll for the Strait of Hormuz. Iran
Analysis Why Turkey and Egypt are deepening military ties amid regional turmoil Turkey and Egypt are expanding military cooperation as overlapping security challenges, from Libya and Sudan to Gaza and the Red Sea, bring the former rivals closer together. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Vance turning us into 'punching bag': Israel fumes over alleged IRGC-CENTCOM channel in Doha The US-Iran decision to launch direct talks between the IRGC and CENTCOM in Qatar deepens the rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while heightening Israeli fears that Washington is shifting toward Doha and Tehran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran attacks cargo ship off Oman, testing Trump’s Hormuz Strait deal The first Iranian attack on a cargo vessel since the ceasefire comes as top US diplomat Marco Rubio huddled with Gulf Cooperation Council ministers in Manama to reject Iran's claims to control the Strait of Hormuz. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
CENTCOM commander heads to Israel, Gulf as Lebanon talks stall By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Why Gulf defense firms are betting on Europe in wake of Iran war By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Congress seeks to exert more control over Middle East wars Lawmakers want more of a say in US military activity in the wake of last weekend’s Syria strikes. Saudi Arabia
Russia takes low-key approach to West's strike on Syria The United States and Russia appear to have coordinated with each other on how to minimize repercussions from the Syrian strike. Syria
Turkey's running out of time to pick a partner in Syria Turkey's been playing the field in Syria, but as the crisis escalates, Ankara may have to make a commitment to either its NATO allies or Moscow. Syria
US freezes military aid to chaotic Libya US assistance from an Obama-era program remains shut down amid an uncertain security situation in the North African country. Libya
Putin, Erdogan, Rouhani extend circle of trust in Syria As the Astana process seizes the initiative on Syria, the United States could put Israel-Lebanon shuttle diplomacy to the test on Hezbollah. Israel
US ramps up counter-WMD spending amid Mideast proliferation threats The Pentagon is putting $6 million into countering weapons of mass destruction in five Middle Eastern countries, as US special operations forces take control of the fight. Syria
Energy, military cooperation dominate Putin’s visit to Turkey Turkey anticipates even deeper ties with Russia as the two countries embark on massive development projects and a major military contract. Turkey
Deadly Ankara-West fault line cracks open at Syria's Manbij Confrontation with the United States and the West is a necessary ingredient in Erdogan’s quest to consolidate his nationalist base, making it more likely that Turkey and the United States will collide over Manbij. Syria
Pentagon sends surplus tanks to Morocco The Pentagon is sending hundreds of extra tanks to Morocco to modernize the country’s aging military. Morocco
Pentagon: US refueling cuts civilian deaths in Yemen US Defense Secretary James Mattis defended the Pentagon’s refueling role in Yemen on Tuesday, saying the plan helps the Saudi-led coalition cut down on civilian casualties in the war-torn country. Saudi Arabia
Saudi crown prince comes under fire as he visits US As Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits the United States, President Trump's pick of John Bolton as national security adviser gets the thumbs-up from the oil-rich desert kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Hamas, PA trade accusations after assassination attempt on PM The fate of Palestinian reconciliation hangs in the balance after the explosion that hit the convoy of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah as he made a rare visit to the Gaza Strip March 13. Palestine
