US revokes Iran oil waiver after Hormuz attacks The United States had issued the two-month sanctions waiver as part of its preliminary deal with Iran. Iran
Analysis Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel Israel fears that Washington may be shifting its strategic options toward Turkey as the two rivals push for regional hegemony. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale The US president has announced that sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile batteries will be lifted. Turkey
Analysis As it hosts NATO, Turkey eyes France's SAMP/T system, F-35 progress with Trump Turkey is set to host NATO leaders as doubts over US commitment linger prompting Ankara to seeks its own defense deals with Paris and Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran mourns Khamenei as questions swirl over Mojtaba’s absence By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis In Libya, maritime dispute could complicate Turkey’s backing of US unity push By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis As US-Iran talks falter, Israel views war outcome as 'total strategic failure’ By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Amid coronavirus concerns, some US-funded aid work paused in northeast Syria The United States intends to focus more on stabilizing Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah provinces as it suspends humanitarian operations in northeast Syria due to COVID-19. Syria
How the pandemic, plummeting oil prices could reshape Middle East COVID-19 will weaken fragile states, raising risk of failure but creating openings for diplomacy. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Iran sanctions debate highlights fissure between Democratic hawks, progressives The debate over how to respond to President Donald Trump’s sanctions regime against Iran in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is creating a fissure between the hawkish and the left wings of the Democratic party. United States
Intel: Joe Biden uses coronavirus crisis to push for Iran sanctions relief Former Vice President Joe Biden, the overwhelming favorite to become the Democratic presidential nominee, came out in favor of humanitarian sanctions relief for Iran to help the embattled country cope with the coronavirus pandemic. United States
Families of Americans detained abroad want more US government attention, study finds An analysis of US hostage policy found that efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained abroad are hampered by unclear policies and confusion. Lebanon
Intel: Russia rebuts Trump’s claim that Saudis agreed to oil compromise President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday that Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to a compromise to end the ongoing oil price war after a discussion between President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Soleimani’s successor visits Iraq, then Trump tweets warning to Iran President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to warn Iran against further attacks on US forces in Iraq — the same day that Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that the new head of the Quds Force had recently visited Baghdad. Iraq
After Trump tweet, Iran warns US about action in Iraq Iranian generals have warned the United States that they will respond if the United States takes action against Iran in Iraq. Iraq
Saudis risk losing last Republican defenders with oil price war The oil price war places the Saudis at risk of losing their previously stalwart defenders on Capitol Hill, the last line of defense against legislation targeting the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump laments oil price war as Saudis lose key defenders in Congress President Donald Trump on Tuesday bemoaned the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has rattled energy markets and exacerbated coronavirus-related layoffs throughout the United States. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi PM-designate may be on futile mission to win Iranian support Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi is on the verge of losing his nomination while simultaneously trying to appease the United States and Iran in his Cabinet formation. Iraq
Can Russia, Saudi Arabia strike new OPEC+ deal with US help? As the OPEC+ deal has expired, Russia and Saudi Arabia remain at odds, though the United States offered encouraging words that production cuts might be negotiated. Saudi Arabia