Analysis Why Iran's wartime behavior risks lasting rupture with Gulf states Iran's rhetoric and policies toward Gulf states have sharply escalated, raising questions about whether years of painstaking regional rapprochement can survive mounting distrust and maritime confrontations. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey navigates Gulf rivalries while Kurdish peace efforts resurface Turkey hosts a flurry of regional diplomacy while fresh debate over Abdullah Ocalan’s future exposes new tensions in the Kurdish peace process. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iraq’s Sadr says 'exclude' armed groups from next government as pressure builds The cleric's call comes as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi tries to form a government amid political divisions and US demands to curb the influence of Iran-backed actors. Iraq
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad’s leukemia diagnosis: What we know Assad is facing a relatively difficult path to recovery due to her history of breast cancer, a leukemia expert told Al-Monitor, with sanctions on Damascus further complicating her treatment options. Syria
Iran: 8 key contenders to watch as potential successors to Raisi Facing the key issue of turnout of a disfranchised, apathetic public, Iranian authorities will be holding an early election next month to replace Ebrahim Raisi, whose tenure was cut short due to a deadly chopper crash. Iran
Blinken: Israel 'may not be willing' to accept Palestinian statehood for Saudi normalization Blinken's comments came as Israeli President Isaac Herzog has revealed that a deal with Saudi Arabia for normalization of ties is on the table. Israel
Turkey's flag carrier resumes flights to Afghanistan after 3-year pause The Turkish envoy hailed the resumption of flights as a “new era.” Turkey
Ben-Gvir: 'I will be very happy to live' in Israeli-occupied Gaza after war Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has reiterated his call for residents to leave the Gaza Strip voluntarily and for Israeli Jews to settle there in their stead. Israel
Analysis Why Israel is more concerned over Iran's FM replacement than Raisi's Israel estimates that the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi will not significantly change Tehran’s policies on the region, but the death of Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian could have some consequences. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey's fastest drone plays key role locating Iran helicopter crash site The location of the helicopter crash site was identified by Turkey’s Akinci drone, according to Turkish officials, after Ankara sent teams to help Iran's search mission. Turkey
As Iran heads to elections after Raisi’s death, hard-liners face legitimacy crisis While the Iranian president's death in a helicopter crash may pose immediate questions about the country's future trajectory, little significant change is expected, as the ruling establishment's key workings remain strictly in the supreme leader's tight controls. Iran
What is Amal Clooney’s role in ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Sinwar? Having Amal Clooney's public name behind the case is already granting it a publicity boost, adding to a record of cases she championed from Iraq to Sudan. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Meet Iran's Mokhber and Bagheri Kani, interim president and FM after crash Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian died in a helicopter crash on Sunday along with a number of other officials. Iran
From China to Houthis, leaders and groups react to death of Iran's Raisi Regional and world leaders' condolences have poured in for the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials, including the foreign minister, in a helicopter crash. Iran
What we know: ICC seeks arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Sinwar International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan announced Monday that his office has applied for arrest warrants against three Hamas leaders over the Oct. 7 attack on Israel as well as for Israel's prime minister and defense chief over the subsequent Gaza war. Israel