Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump arrives in China with Iran war looming over talks Tehran will closely watch whether Beijing seeks to restrain Washington or quietly aligns with US pressure on Iran’s oil exports and regional role. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Israel’s drone dilemma: Hezbollah’s low-cost threat reshapes Lebanon front While Israeli and Lebanese delegations are set to meet in Washington for the third time, the Israeli military faces a growing threat from Hezbollah’s cheap yet highly lethal drones. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran’s Ghalibaf: US must accept Tehran proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
EU ministers agree to sanction violent West Bank settlers: What to know European foreign ministers have agreed to sanction extremist West Bank settlers, but are still discussing the list of names. Israel
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israel seeks to revive long abandoned railway to Gulf Israel is currently discussing a project to reopen the old Hejaz railway to connect it with Saudi Arabia, though many Egyptians are concerned about its impact on trade through the Suez Canal. Egypt
Rouhani on defense after attack on hard-line 'fraudulent institutions' Reformists sidelined in Iran's street protests; reactions in Iraq and Turkey; Iran rebuilds ties with Hamas via Hezbollah. Palestine
Israeli centrist leader at war with UNRWA Contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid wholeheartedly embraced the threats by the Trump administration to cut UNRWA financing, which has the potential to create a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Will Fatah launch 'intifada of independence'? Palestinians warn that absent a diplomatic route toward Palestinian statehood, Fatah might launch in 2018 an intifada of independence. Palestine
How Ahed Tamimi became an icon to Palestinians With her indictment in Israeli court last month, 16-year-old Palestinian Ahed Tamimi has reached hero status among Palestinians for her confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Palestine
Has Israel’s defense minister changed approach on Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman estimates that provoking Hamas and generating a military confrontation with the group does not serve Israel’s security interest. Palestine
Culture Alert: Art mingles with diplomacy, feminism and sport The Middle East's cultural scene at the start of 2018 is almost as lively as its political landscape, as art flirts with feminism, diplomacy and sport. Egypt
Israel caught between Trump and Gaza suffering Israel recognizes UNRWA’s role in preventing starvation in Gaza, so it cannot openly endorse the Trump administration's apparent desire to cut aid to the organization. Palestine
Trump's Jerusalem decision opens Israeli expansionism floodgates The Israeli ruling Likud Party has voted on a decision to annex the settlements in the West Bank to Israel, raising the anger of Palestinians who threatened to take the matter to international courts. Palestine
Netanyahu's coalition goes to war — with itself Recent proposed legislation has fractured the governing coalition, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to roll up his sleeves to keep it from falling apart. Israel
Netanyahu, Abbas take off diplomatic masks While Likud ministers freely discuss annexation of parts of the West Bank, the Palestinians are preparing to request UN recognition of Palestine as a state under foreign occupation. Palestine
Israel surprised by protests in Iran Israeli security is following events in Iran closely and wondering whether the protests could create a new regional balance. Israel