Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran strikes tankers, US bases as Gulf conflict escalates Lebanon, Israel hold talks in Rome; Iraqi PM Zaidi to meet Trump; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump says US to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site Satellite imagery has detected recent construction at the underground facility. Iran
Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations. Syria
Analysis On first foreign trip, Iraqi PM Zaidi woos Trump but Iran casts long shadow Iraq's new prime minister is in Washington promising business deals and closer ties with the United States, but convincing the Trump administration he can rein in Iran-backed militias may prove his toughest challenge. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran keeps Hormuz closed as US attacks intensify By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis From S-400s to SAMP/T: Turkey’s defense pivot gathers pace after NATO summit By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Netanyahu tries postponing publication of Trump’s peace plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that if President Donald Trump presents his regional peace plan before elections in Israel, he will have a hard time winning. Palestine
US official speaks out against possible Turkish offensive in Syria After Iraqi Kurdistan-backed Rojava Peshmerga are sent to the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkish officials inveigh against the action and what it represents. Iraq
How Palestinians are working to stop Australia embassy move Palestinians are deploying efforts to prevent Australia from following in the steps of US President Donald Trump in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Palestine
US genocide law triggers mixed feelings among Iraqis US President Donald Trump has signed legislation calling for greater support for religious minorities victimized by the Islamic State. Iraq
How does Turkey's threatened Syria invasion play elsewhere? As Turkey prepares for a possible offensive against Kurdish militias in Syria, Moscow is watching for any mistakes that multiple players, including the Unites States and the United Arab Emirates, might make in their efforts to deter the operation. Syria
Trump’s pick for top general could expand Mideast advising role The Pentagon’s incoming Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman has a long track record of training foreign military forces. Syria
Flynn business partner, client charged as secret foreign agents for Turkey A US court indicted two associates of President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser amid an investigation into Ankara's secret campaign to obtain the extradition of cleric Fetullah Gulen. Turkey
Turkey's defense industry still striving for self-sufficiency Turkey has made significant strides in developing its defense industry during the past four years, but it is still being held back by its dependence on other countries' goods and technologies. Qatar
Erdogan says Trump responded 'positively' to Turkey’s threats on Syria According to Ankara, the US president expressed support both for its stance against US-allied Kurdish militants in Syria and its efforts to extradite Fethullah Gulen as its chief suspect in the 2016 Turkish coup attempt. Syria
Why was Turkey's intel chief in Washington? Turkish intel chief Hakan Fidan's visit to the United States generated an uproar from the Turkish opposition. Why did Erdogan encourage this public bashing of Fidan? Turkey
Fatah shows rare support for Hamas The Palestinian presidency worked hard to ensure a US-drafted resolution against Hamas failed at the United Nations, which has raised modest hopes of bringing Hamas and Fatah closer together. Palestine
Congress sees unprecedented opportunity to confront OPEC For the first time since OPEC’s formation, both the White House and Congress appear to be on the same page when it comes to suing the oil cartel for violating the US antitrust law. Saudi Arabia