Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday, saying that Tehran had waited too long to reach a deal after the largest direct exchange of fire between the two countries since an April ceasefire. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf logistics startups ride Hormuz trade shift As cargo flows are rerouted across the Arabian Peninsula, overland freight networks are suddenly becoming critical infrastructure. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis 'We are already hearing the bus': Israeli insiders fear Netanyahu is losing Trump’s backing on Iran “He couldn’t afford a confrontation with Trump, who was the last asset he had left,” a Netanyahu associate told Al-Monitor, describing the prime minister’s struggle to balance pressure for retaliation against Iran with the need to preserve his alliance with the US president. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US rescues helicopter crew after crash near Oman US rescue of a helicopter crew, renewed missile exchanges, and rising tensions in Lebanon underscore the widening Iran-Israel-US conflict amid strained diplomacy. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israeli opposition shatters into Blue against White Former Blue and White partners Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid are now officially rivals for the same center-left electorate. Israel
Arab Israelis prepare for subdued Ramadan Ramadan is just a few days away, but in Arab Israeli towns and villages there is no holiday spirit in the air. Israel
Palestinians claim COVID-19 efforts blunted by Israel in East Jerusalem Some East Jerusalemites accuse Israel of not being forthcoming about the spread of the coronavirus in East Jerusalem and criticize it for shutting down local efforts against the virus that are backed by the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Why does Israel's center-left stick to the same failed strategy? The failed attempts by Israel's center-left to adopt the strategy of Kadima under Ehud Olmert to win election and form a government could be opening the door to the possible establishment of a Jewish-Arab party. Israel
Fall of Blue and White party leaves opening on Israeli political map With Blue and White splitting and the Labor party declining, there is an opening for a new political alignment on the social-liberal side of the Israeli political map. Israel
Intel: J Street endorsement sets up battle with AIPAC for Biden’s ear Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, accepted a major endorsement from the lobbying group J Street today, setting up a battle for the former vice president’s ear with the left-leaning organization’s main rival, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Israel
Netanyahu's right-wing bloc starts cracking The constant stalling and refusal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conclude a national unity agreement start irritating even his closest allies within the right-wing camp. Israel
Israel: Last act before fourth elections Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plays for time before making the decision whether to join a unity government with Blue and White’s Benny Gantz or go for broke and generate a fourth set of elections. Israel
Saving Palestinian prisoners’ lives requires releasing the elderly and sick As Palestinians commemorate Prisoners' Day on April 17, the biggest demand appears to be how to safeguard prisoners from the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. Palestine
IDF, Arab Israelis join forces against COVID-19 ahead of Ramadan The Israeli central government and mayors of Arab Israeli municipalities are working together on plans to contain the novel coronavirus ahead of the Ramadan festivities. Israel
Gantz gives Netanyahu ultimatum for Israeli government agreement Blue and White party leader and Knesset Speaker Benny Gantz will advance legislation preventing an indicted politician from becoming premier if Netanyahu doesn't agree to a unity government by April 20. Israel
COVID-19 offers new opportunities for Israel-Arab relations In secret diplomatic ties or in open posts on social media, Israel reaches out to Arab neighbors battling with the coronavirus. United Arab Emirates