Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs? The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations. Iran
Analysis Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel to release 5 Lebanese prisoners ahead of next talks: What to know Israel said the detainees are "civilians who are not members of a terrorist organization" and "were not involved in terrorism," concluding, "There is no reason to continue holding them in Israel." Israel
US airstrikes target Iran's Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island American military forces launched their first strikes on the Iranian mainland in more than a month just days after the top US commander for the region said Iranian mines have been cleared from Hormuz shipping lanes. Iran
Analysis Israel favors status quo as tensions in Iran's leadership fuel escalation risk By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis How Iran is readying for economic protests as Trump escalates pressure By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Intel: AIPAC rebukes Democrats again for bill to keep US aid out of annexation The American Israel Public Affairs Committee issued its third rebuke of Democratic lawmakers in as many weeks over their repeated attempts to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from annexing significant portions of the West Bank. Israel
Iran cuts oil production and storage is nearly full amid pandemic, US sanctions Reuters reported that Iran's onshore storage facilities are nearly full while production is at its lowest point since the Iran-Iraq war. United States
US soldier accused of planning neo-Nazi attack on unit in Turkey pleads not guilty The soldier allegedly sought to help recruit local jihadists in Turkey carry out an attack on a US military facility. Turkey
Mysterious explosions escalate Israel, Iran tensions Ahead of the US presidential elections, and on the backdrop of mysterious explosions, Israel prepares for various escalation scenarios on Iran’s part. Israel
Congress revives bid to pull US out of Yemen war The Democratic-held House is taking another stab at ending US support for the Saudi coalition’s war against Yemen’s Houthis. Saudi Arabia
Has China gained an edge on the US in the Gulf? China has upped the ante, but the United States holds the winning hand; Oman weighs risks and benefits of Gulf bailout; will migrant workers return to GCC? Legacy: Gulf
Crickets as Netanyahu's annexation date comes and goes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to admit his annexation plan did not move forward July 1 amid tepid US support and a populace distracted by more pressing issues. Palestine
Intel: Working Group on Egypt urges Pompeo to get tough on Sisi As Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi widens his crackdown on government critics, a bipartisan group of foreign policy experts urged US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to call out America's longtime ally for human rights abuses. Egypt
Intel: Pompeo warns Turkey against reverting Hagia Sophia to mosque US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo waded into the Turkish debate today over whether the historic Hagia Sophia museum should be made back into a mosque. Turkey
Intel: AOC incurs AIPAC’s wrath with anti-annexation letter Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) are facing off over a letter the progressive firebrand sent Tuesday warning against Israeli efforts to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Pompeo’s push to extend Iran arms embargo faces uphill battle at UN The UN Security Council is not keen on extending the Iran arms embargo despite US threats to instate snapback sanctions. United States
Intel: US pledges nearly $700M in humanitarian assistance for Syrians The US State Department announced it would be providing an additional $696 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrians. Syria