Jordan’s King Abdullah calls church shooting ‘terror attack,’ at least 7 killed: What to know Jordan has experienced sporadic violence targeting the Christian community, though attacks of this kind are relatively rare in the kingdom. Jordan
How Israel’s election could shape next phase of Iran war Most of the Israeli prime minister's main rivals in the Oct. 27 election agree that Israel's war to overthrow the Iranian regime should continue, but only he claims to have President Donald Trump's blessing to do so. Israel
France’s Macron first Western leader to visit Saudi Arabia since Houthi escalation French President Emmanuel Macron met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a surprise stop in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
US moving away from Middle East security guarantor role, Barrack says The US envoy said that direct US military intervention on the ground against the Houthis would be "fruitless." By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Hormuz attacks spike after US airstrike on Iran-linked tanker By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Israelis, Palestinians to meet in Egypt in bid to lower tensions before Ramadan With Ramadan only days away, Israel, the Palestinians, the United States, Egypt and Jordan fear that West Bank tensions could explode. Israel
US defense chief delays arrival to Israel, will meet Netanyahu near airport Defense Minister Lloyd Austin will conclude his Middle East in Israel Thursday morning, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel
Israel-Gaza border sizzles in wake of West Bank escalation A rocket fired from Gaza toward Israel during the night and an explosive device that went off early in the morning have interrupted the relative calm in the region. Israel
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin talks troop presence in surprise Iraq visit Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is playing a delicate balancing act with pro-Iran factions as Washington keeps a low profile for its military advisers in Iraq in order to subdue the Islamic State. Iraq
US, Saudi Arabia to conduct first counter-drone exercise without allies As tensions heat up with Iran, the Pentagon hopes the Red Sands exercises will convince allies in the Middle East that Western counter-drone technology is still better than China's. Legacy: Gulf
Top US general visits Israel amid increasing tensions with Iran The Pentagon’s top-ranking officer, Gen. Mark Milley, landed in Israel on Friday to coordinate with senior military officials on Iran strategy. Israel
Analysis Far-right ministers endanger Israel's ties with US Statements by senior Israeli officials in favor of "wiping out" the Palestinian Huwara village, as well as calls for the US "to mind its own business," are threatening the strategically important alliance between the two countries. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to visit Israel, Jordan, Egypt The Pentagon chief's second tour of the Middle East comes as diplomatic efforts to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appear to have run out of gas. Legacy: Gulf
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to visit Middle East as Iran threat builds Lloyd Austin's visit to the region as Biden's defense secretary is intended as a signal of reassurance as Iran continues to arm and fund proxy militias throughout the region. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Israel's FM urges Germany to add Iran's IRGC to terror list, but hurdles remain Though German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said recently that Berlin had no grounds to add the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the country’s list of terror groups, Israeli sources insist she is committed to pursuing this option. Israel
Iran is seeking billions in arms deals from Russia, White House says Moscow may send Iran fighter aircraft as Pentagon officials warn the tactical relationship could evolve into strategic cooperation. Russia / Mideast
UAE's IDEX weapons fair brings in Russia, China, and billion-dollar deals The United Arab Emirates’ defense expenditure amounted to $22.5 billion last year and is expected to reach $28.6 billion by 2027. Legacy: Gulf
