Newsletter: Business & Tech Saudi economic ambitions under strain Saudi Arabia postponed its flagship investment conference, known as “Davos in the Desert,” on Monday as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels continued attacks on the kingdom. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
US sanctions law firm based in Panama, Greece over Iran shipping ties The Treasury Department accused Karnakis and Karnakis of registering shipping companies linked to Iran's so-called shadow fleet. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Divided Israeli opposition boosts Netanyahu With a week until Israel’s election, infighting within the opposition Change Bloc is blunting its efforts to turn the vote into a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of Oct. 7. By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran As Tehran looks for an off-ramp from renewed conflict, Moscow is positioning itself as a diplomatic partner while pushing Iran to deliver on long-delayed economic deals. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Brahimi Talks Syria in Iran Lakhdar Brahimi, UN-Arab League joint representative, tries to enlist Iranian help in the Geneva II conference on Syria. Syria
Why Did Iran Postpone Meshaal Visit? The "resistance" axis of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah are not in agreement over welcoming Hamas back into the fold. Palestine
Peace Demands Palestinians Recognize Israel as 'Jewish State' Former Israeli Cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser responds to Nabeel Kassis: Only recognition of Israel as the home of the Jewish nation, alongside a Palestinian state, can lead to a historic compromise. Palestine
Syria’s Race Against Time UN-Arab League Joint Representative Lakhdar Brahimi presses for Geneva II, while Saudi women are on the road again. Saudi Arabia
Iran Opens First Alcohol Rehab Center The official permit for an alcohol rehabilitation center provides a window on the illegal trade and consumption of alcohol in Iran. Iran
Why Palestinians Should Not Recognize Israel as Jewish State A former Palestinian negotiator argues that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state is an attempt to discourage agreement. Palestine
Will US, Iran Back Maliki In Iraqi Elections? While the US and Iran both support Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, sectarian violence is nonetheless on the rise. Iraq
Iran Export-Led Growth Strategy Depends on Sanctions Relief The government of President Hassan Rouhani is seeking to boost Iranian exports in order to grow the economy. Iran
Saudi Decision on Security Council Is About Syria Saudi Arabia’s decision to decline a Security Council seat expresses anger in some Sunni Muslim quarters about the Syria war. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu's European Double Standard Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands that Europe "be strict, be strong” vis-a-vis Iran and its nuclear project, while his government continues to violate international law in the occupied territories. Palestine
Iran's 'Cable Guys' Provide Service For Contraband Satellites While technically illegal, satellite dishes in Iran are ubiquitous, creating a niche market for the men who install them. Iran
Iranians Look for ChangeIn US Policies Iranians express mixed reactions to developments in US-Iran relations. Iran