Analysis Iran’s Pickaxe mountain tests limits of Trump’s military options A secretive Pentagon innovation agency has hastened to test munitions that may penetrate deeper than the GBU-57 bombs dropped on Iran’s two main enrichment facilities. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Netanyahu threatens to sue Haaretz for reporting UAE warned Israel of Oct. 7 attack The Emirati president reportedly warned that a planned attack could cause bloodshed, destabilize the region and threaten the Abraham Accords. Israel
Brent crude sails past $100 as Middle East war intensifies The Iran war escalated this week as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked four southern Saudi Arabian cities and oil facilities. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel braces for Iran attack as Trump’s economic squeeze on Tehran intensifies Skeptical about the effectiveness of the American economic blockade on Tehran to weaken the regime, Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could decide to strike the Jewish state during the upcoming high holidays. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Could Trump’s oil push in Venezuela upend OPEC’s energy order? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Netanyahu's fuzzy math on settlement construction Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in a tough spot trying to please his right-wing electoral base with more settlement construction without upsetting President Donald Trump with too much construction. Palestine
Erdogan targets US envoy over escalating visa row Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to blame the suspension of Turkish visa applications to the United States on outgoing Ambassador John Bass, but US administration sources say Bass acted with full White House support and analysts judge the suspension of consular services as inevitable, if harsh. Turkey
Trump prompts Rouhani administration, IRGC to close ranks Despite their many differences, the Rouhani administration and the IRGC are showing a unified stance amid talk of a US plan to designate the Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. United States
Turkey, US keep finding ways to vex each other Amid allegations and at least one arrest, a series of retaliatory moves between Turkey and the United States affected Turkey's currency and raised concern about the countries' relations. Turkey
The story behind first permanent US base in Israel The United States has inaugurated its first military base in Israel, housing a powerful US provided and operated radar system. Israel
Can UAE be a bridge between the US, Sudan? The UAE has persuaded the United States to lift sanctions against Sudan given Sudan’s efforts to counter Iran’s expanding and consolidating regional influence. United Arab Emirates
US missile defense sale to Saudis seen as effort to thwart Russia The Donald Trump administration OK’d a $15 billion sale of anti-missile technology to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh moved to buy a rival Russian system. Saudi Arabia
US Air Force ‘stretched’ by Islamic State fight in Iraq, Syria Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said the service suffers from a lack of planes and pilots as well as ongoing budgetary uncertainty as it flies an increased number of missions against the Islamic State. Iraq
Pentagon stops paying peshmerga salaries amid Kurdish independence backlash The Donald Trump administration has allowed a yearlong deal to pay stipends to the Kurdish militia to expire. Iraq
Can Israel live with Lebanon-inspired Palestinian state? Israel fears that a Palestinian unity government would actually allow Hamas to preserve its armed forces. Palestine
Moneyed interests blocking path to peace in Mideast As in the United States, money in politics is fueling violence and hijacking democracy in Israel. Palestine
Congress takes aim at Lebanese politicians with Hezbollah bill The US House of Representatives is expected to vote this month on legislation requiring the president to publicly report on Hezbollah allies’ net worth. Lebanon