Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock Iranian officials say dialogue remains open, but negotiations are clouded by intensifying hard-line domestic messaging and conflicting signals over Tehran’s red lines. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
IEA delivers grim gas supply forecast as oil notches 15% weekly rise A wave of new LNG supplies will be delayed for at least two years due to war-related damage to Qatari energy infrastructure, according the International Energy Agency's latest market update. Qatar
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Will Rouhani end jamming of satellite TV signals? In Iran, controversy continues over the hotly debated issue of the jamming of signals from foreign-based satellite channels. Iran
US announces nuke deal implementation team Outgoing ambassador to Poland Stephen Mull, a former senior adviser to William Burns, will lead the team coordinating the Iran nuclear deal implementation. US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Jarrett Blanc will serve as deputy coordinator. Iran
Why Iran, Saudi Arabia keep locking horns on Syria The window of opportunity for regional dialogue provided by the Iran nuclear deal appears wasted as Tehran and Riyadh stick to their positions. Saudi Arabia
Why is Iran's health minister complaining about domestic-made cars? After a social media campaign to boycott Iranian-made cars, Iranian officials weigh in on the matter. Iran
Khamenei asks IRGC to prevent 'enemy’s influence' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, asking them to protect the country from foreign influence. Iran
US to name coordinator for implementing Iran nuclear deal With the Iran nuclear deal expected to survive congressional review, the Obama administration is preparing to pivot from defending the deal to the crucial task of implementing it, with diplomat Stephen Mull leading the new office to coordinate JCPOA implementation for the US government. Congress
Iranian authorities scramble to stop 'Beat the Arab' An online game targeting Arabs and hosted on Iranian websites is prompting authorities to take action. Saudi Arabia
Land-grabbing captures attention of Iranians Mutual accusations of land-grabbing by two Iranian lawmakers reignite media coverage and public debate about this contentious issue. Iran
Rouhani defends nuclear deal to IRGC In his speech defending the nuclear deal to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani drew wide attention for calling other threats such as pollution and economic deterioration just as serious as Western influence. Iran
Russia deepens Turkey’s Syrian impasse Moscow’s increasing military support for the Assad regime makes a reassessment of Ankara’s Syria policy essential. Syria
Zarif testifies before parliament’s nuclear deal committee Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif testified before parliament's special committee to review the final comprehensive nuclear deal. Iran
Republicans prepare for next round on Iran A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Sept. 14. Palestine