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
US waives Iran sanctions, but says no final decision made on nuclear deal The United States waived nuclear-related Iran sanctions, but President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision on the nuclear deal or Iran policy more broadly. United States
Ahead of UN meeting, Abbas prepares united Arab position Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is conducting consultations with Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia in order to present US President Donald Trump with a united Arab position for the two-state solution. Palestine
Zarif, Putin meet to discuss nuclear deal, Syria Iran’s foreign minister traveled to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin. Russia
Europe urges Trump to keep Iran deal while exploring other pressure points European allies are urging the Trump administration to stick with the JCPOA even as they discuss other ways to address Iranian threats. United States
Congress rejects growing effort to replace 2001 war authorization The US Senate today took up the post-9/11 military mandate for the first time since its enactment 16 years ago. United States
US-Iran exchanges hang in balance as Trump weighs decision on nuclear deal The State Department has spent no money this year on US-Iran exchanges amid uncertainty over the fate of the nuclear agreement. United States
Will Abbas confront Trump? Ahead of the annual UN General Assembly meeting, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is planning a speech that some suspect will denounce Benjamin Netanyahu and anger Donald Trump. Palestine
Shock, confusion in Egypt over US aid cut The Trump administration has cut hundreds of millions in military and economic assistance to Egypt, which has been criticized for its human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Trump could kick Iran deal to Congress, Haley says US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley made the case today for President Donald Trump to not certify Iran’s continued compliance with the 2015 agreement. United States
What Trump really wants for the Mideast The unrealistic statements by US envoy Jason Greenblatt about the Palestinian Authority's ruling the Gaza Strip again might indicate that US President Donald Trump does not have a realistic plan for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Palestinians want to be called ‘state under occupation’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing a UN resolution proposal that will change the definition of “Palestinian territories under occupation” into “a Palestinian state under occupation.” Palestine
Defying Trump, IAEA says Iran honoring nuclear deal The world atomic energy agency rejected the Trump administration's push to inspect Iranian military sites without a clear reason. Originals