Lebanon says at least 12 killed in Israeli strikes as tensions rise in south The escalation in southern Lebanon casts a shadow over upcoming Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome. Lebanon
Analysis Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order? Washington’s growing role in controlling the Latin American country's crude riches could help reshape an energy order centered on OPEC as the Hormuz crisis pressures Gulf exports. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
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
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
Congress seeks more control over North Africa counterterror program Lawmakers want a coherent strategy for the desert region from the Donald Trump administration. North Africa
Israeli right fears new Congress For the next two years, Israeli settlers and their right-wing supporters will no longer enjoy unlimited access to the House of Representatives. Palestine
Twitter is Coming: Iranians strike back at Trump with memes Following US President Donald Trump’s tweet that used a "Game of Thrones" meme to warn Iran about new sanctions, keyboard-happy Iranians quickly striked back at both Trump and their own officials. United States
Is this the start of Arab NATO plan? The Arab Nato plan promoted by US President Donald Trump to counter Iranian influence is being recurrently heard among the political quarters of the countries participating in the Arab Shield 1 drills in Egypt. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi royals rally support at home as pressure mounts Following intense pressure from Turkey and the United States over the war in Yemen and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi king and crown prince are looking to rally support among their domestic base. Saudi Arabia
Three changes that advance Trump’s Mideast peace plan Changes over the last few months in Israel, the United States and the Palestinian Authority make it all the more realistic for the Trump administration to submit its Palestinian-Israeli peace plan soon. Palestine
Putin pivots to Europe for next play on Syria Russian president intensifies diplomatic push; Erdogan goes "big" to leverage the Khashoggi murder with the Trump administration; Oman emerges as Israeli-Palestinian broker. Oman