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
Trump keeps world guessing on Iran deal’s future Even as Iran hawks complain they are shut out from the White House, proponents of the nuclear deal are not confident they will prevail with the president. Russia
Rouhani: Trump lacks means to pressure Iran Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States is no longer able to isolate and pressure Iran. Saudi Arabia
Russia weighs in on Bannon-free White House Analysts examine what foreign policy changes Washington might make concerning the Mideast now that Steve Bannon is gone, and what that could mean for Moscow. Syria
The more Trump sinks, the more Turkey’s currency and government recover Discouraged by the US president’s dismal performance, global short-term investors are returning to emerging economies, including Turkey, boosting Ankara’s economic and political prospects in critical times. Turkey
Will Zarif, Tillerson meet for session on nuclear deal? A possible Iranian request for a meeting about the nuclear deal would set up the first talk between the Iranian and American foreign ministers since the election of President Donald Trump. United States
What Iran-Qatar reset means for Syria Iran adds another “Sunni” power to its regional network; Turkey ponders next moves in Idlib; Israel presents the “big picture” on Iran in Washington and Sochi, Russia; Akiva Eldar on Israel’s silence over Charlottesville. Saudi Arabia
Trump sends personal message to Abbas via Kushner The personal message from US President Donald Trump about his commitment to the peace process, delivered by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, softened the stance of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Russia, US to maintain contacts on Syria despite sanctions US and Russian officials will try to maintain contacts concerning world hotspots within the limits imposed by US sanctions on the Kremlin. Syria
US expected to recertify Iran compliance with nuclear deal The secretaries of state and defense appear to have overruled Iran hawks in the White House and Congress. United States
Trump and Macron seek common ground on Syria, terrorism Despite tensions over the Paris climate change accord, the two leaders have common interests in the Middle East. Syria
House rejects Trump’s Middle East aid cuts The House spending bill calls for far more assistance to North Africa. Egypt
Pentagon receptive to Tunisian lobbying against proposed Trump aid cut Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed visited the Pentagon to push back against proposed military aid cuts. Tunisia
