Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps Some Israelis worry the US president might force them to accept an unsatisfactory agreement driven by his inability to secure a tangible achievement in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks President Trump said the second meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese envoys went "very well." Lebanon
Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration. Iraq
Analysis As Iran's power struggle deepens, US talks stall, who’s calling the shots in Tehran? By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Intel: Why Republicans are coming under fire from Israeli right Right-wing members of Israel’s Knesset are unhappy with recent legislation backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) because of language endorsing a two-state solution. Israel
What's behind Israel's approval of construction permits for Palestinians? The decision of the Israeli security Cabinet to grant 715 construction permits for Palestinians and 6,000 permits for settlers mocks the Palestinians while hailing settlement policy. Palestine
Democrats clash over resolution calling for two-state solution Democratic leaders and members are bickering over a resolution meant to reaffirm Washington’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Congress struggles to sanction Saudis for Khashoggi murder Faced with opposition from the White House and Senate Republican leadership, Congress is struggling to pass Saudi sanctions legislation. Saudi Arabia
Republicans push tepid Trump to sanction Turkey After huddling with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Republican senators tell Al-Monitor that the president isn’t keen on sanctioning Turkey. Turkey
Intel: Why 5 Democratic presidential hopefuls just rebelled against Trump’s new defense secretary An overwhelming bipartisan majority of the Senate voted 90-8 Tuesday to confirm former Army Secretary Mark Esper as President Donald Trump’s new defense secretary. Saudi Arabia
Israelis are Trump's biggest fans President Donald Trump faces growing criticism in the United States over his anti-immigrant approach, but in Israel he is considered a hero. Israel
Intel: US drone shootdown sparks more Gulf tension US President Donald Trump said today that the United States destroyed an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 yards of an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense officials told CNN the drone was brought down today by electronic jamming. Iraq
Intel: US boots Turkey from F-35 program after Russian arms deal The Donald Trump administration said today it would formally kick Turkey out of the F-35 program after Ankara took delivery of a Russian air defense system that could threaten the American fighter’s stealth capabilities. Turkey
Will Erdogan risk an operation in Syria? Turkish media reports suggest that an incursion by the Turkish army east of the Euphrates is imminent. Syria
EU, Iran try to stand ground against Trump’s sanctions The countries working to save the Iranian nuclear deal have various reasons for doing so, and one could be concern that US President Donald Trump’s unilateral decisions won’t stop with Tehran. United States
Ilhan Omar seizes spotlight to push pro-BDS resolution Rep. Ilhan Omar plans to introduce a pro-BDS resolution days after President Donald Trump invoked Israel to defend his racist tweets that put her in the national spotlight. Israel
