How deployment of 4,000+ US Marines could change war in Iran Two flotillas bearing thousands of US Marines will give Trump more options to open the Strait of Hormuz, but deploying them to the Gulf will necessitate expanding a war that's already widely unpopular at home. Iran
Iran’s Hormuz choke hold leaves West divided as energy markets reel Between March 1 and March 19, there were only 114 crossings of the strait, according to analytics firm Kpler — 95% less than prewar traffic. Iran
Why a Kharg Island blockade could be Iran’s greatest economic threat The island is an energy hub that accounts for 90% of Iran's oil exports and is home to key Iranian military installations. Iran
Qatar-based Al Jazeera commentators go dark on social media: What to know Saeed Ziad, who offered a pro-Iran perspective on the war, has not posted on X in days, and the account of Fatima al-Smadi was deleted, though their exact status is not known. Qatar
Analysis Narrow opening: Can Lebanon’s push for talks shift Israel’s war calculus? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Iran expands energy targets beyond Gulf as Red Sea and East Med come into play By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis In Hormuz standoff, Trump struggles to rally allies By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Sochi summit leaves Turkey facing unsavory possibilities It's unknown how far Moscow will go to appease Ankara with regard to the Syrian Kurds. Syria
Four-year-old siege still punishing civilians in Syria's Yarmouk camp Despite talk of negotiations and a breakthrough, the siege imposed by the Syrian regime on the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus continues to claim the lives of civilians. Syria
Iran prosecutor gets two years for being 'accessory to murder' of protesters A former Iranian prosecutor receives a two-year sentence for murders at a notorious prison. Iran
Earthquake response shows Iranians' nationalism — and mistrust of authorities While ordinary Iranians’ response to the deadly Nov. 12 earthquake has been a show of national solidarity, it also displayed mistrust in authorities. Iran
Why did Hariri go to Cairo before returning home to Lebanon? To spare the Middle East another battleground, Cairo played a role in containing the crisis of the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Saudi Arabia
Is Saudi crown prince winning or losing in the Middle East? With Saad Hariri staying on as prime minister in Lebanon, the Saudi crown prince has suffered another setback in his efforts to counter Iran. Saudi Arabia
Imprudent foreign financing could jeopardize Iran’s economy Contrary to common wisdom, not all foreign financing, especially the type currently trickling into Iran, is good for state finances and the country’s economy. Iran
Iranian media: Sochi summit step toward 'new Middle East' Iranian media reported on the trilateral meeting between the presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey in Sochi as a step toward a new Middle East. Syria
Why UK-US divide on Iranian nuclear deal matters Rather than France or Germany, it is Britain that could prove essential in determining the fate of the nuclear deal with Iran. United States
IDF prepares for 'new' Syria Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is asking for an increased budget for the Israel Defense Forces to prepare itself against new threats developing along its northern border with Syria. Israel
Iran, EU hold third round of high-level talks The third round of comprehensive discussions between Iran and a high delegation of European Union representatives will take place in Iran. Iran
The wrong way to address Iran’s missile program To address Iran’s ballistic missile program, the United States and Europe need to work toward a region-wide solution. United States
