'Pilot zones' offer litmus test for Lebanon to clear Israel border of Hezbollah As the Trump administration focuses reaching a peace deal with Iran, US officials have been hosting backroom talks between Israeli and Lebanese diplomats aimed at finally resolving the question of Hezbollah’s entrenchment along Israel’s northern border. Lebanon
Analysis 'A complete disaster': Israel scrambles for clarity as Trump touts emerging Iran deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed Israel’s red lines to Trump, but given the current rift between the two leaders, the demands may be little more than a wish list. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US strikes render April ceasefire ‘meaningless’ Fresh US strikes and Iranian retaliation deepen regional tensions, while Washington tightens sanctions, France pushes for a larger role in Lebanon, and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support By questioning whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the next Knesset elections, President Donald Trump may have dented one of the Israeli leader's key political assets ahead of the vote. Israel
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: FutureVerse Gulf logistics startups ride Hormuz trade shift 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 By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Is Jordan Valley's annexation already on the way? As Israel gears up for what could be the third round of elections in less than a year, a bill presented earlier in the month to annex the Jordan Valley has taken on a new urgency in light of the US announcement that it no longer views the settlements as illegal. Palestine
Democrats plan legislative response to Trump’s new Israeli settlement policy House Democratic leaders vow to vote on a resolution backing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after the Donald Trump administration’s new settlement policy. Palestine
Avigdor Liberman drives Israeli politics crazy Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman had promised that he would not accept any other solution than a "liberal unity government," and so far, he has kept every last letter of that promise, even if driving all politicians crazy. Israel
Liberman, Lapid miscalculate about Likud rebellion Both Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman and Blue and White co-leader Yair Lapid mistakenly assumed that some Likud members would break ranks and join a Gantz-led unity coalition. Israel
US says Israeli settlements not necessarily illegal A US shift on settlements comes after European court decision on labeling settlement products. Palestine
Djerejian: In addressing uprisings in Middle East, first 'do no harm' Former US diplomat Edward Djerejian also sees opportunity for US diplomacy in Gulf crisis. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu’s yes-men get ministerial portfolios Obviously, the criteria for being appointed new minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s caretaker government is not competencies but loyalty to the chief. Israel
Israeli politicians prefer chaos over Jewish-Arab partnership Most Israeli Arabs aspire to integrate into the general society, but the country’s political leadership is engaged in a hate campaign against them. Israel
Netanyahu draws careful line between Arab Israelis, Arab parties Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has obviously changed tactics: Instead of attacking directly Israeli-Arab citizens, he is targeting the Knesset members of the Joint List. Israel
Anti-Iran advocacy group FDD registers to lobby The hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an influential Washington think tank, has registered to lobby US lawmakers. Israel
Against odds, Netanyahu revives his fortunes The Israeli prime minister takes out a terrorist foe, puts Iran’s Soleimani on notice and effectively sinks rival’s chances to form a new government — not a bad week. Palestine
Netanyahu’s 'divide and rule' policy against Palestinians Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues with the same approach of ignoring the Palestinian Authority and destabilizing it through contacts with Hamas. Palestine