Newsletter: Turkey Turkey courts Egypt on defense pact Turkey stepped up efforts to broaden its new regional defense framework this week, seeking Egypt’s participation while deepening security ties with Saudi Arabia and Libya. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections Both Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump face fateful elections this fall, but one needs progress in Lebanon while the other wants more of the same. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanese PM urges Israeli withdrawal in meeting with US envoy Turkey to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition; UAE accuses Iran of attacking ADNOC vessels; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Security A new Middle East security order? The timing of the new Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey defense agreement suggests the US' traditional allies in the region are charting their own strategic path after the Iran war. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Exclusive Turkey set to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition on Friday By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
At UN, Netanyahu says Palestinians should have 'no veto' over Saudi deal Offering a grand vision of normalization with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also advocated that the Palestinians not be allowed a veto on advancements toward peace. Israel
More than 200 Palestinians killed in 2023 as Israel detains Lion's Den leader The spike in Israeli raids and settler attacks this year in the West Bank has killed more than 200 Palestinians and displaced more than 1,000 herders from their land. Palestine
Syria’s Assad and Kuwaiti crown prince in China signing cooperation deals Syrian President Bashar al-Assad participated in a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the eastern city of Hangzhou, reported SANA, Syria’s official news outlet. Syria
US Senator Menendez indicted on corruption charges involving Egypt Sen. Bob Menendez, a key power broker in Washington's Middle East foreign policy, is accused of providing sensitive US government information to aid the Egyptian government. Washington Connection
Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: Iraq’s Sudani says 'solution is in Baghdad’ to issues with KRG The prime minister also pleaded for more US investment in Iraq’s energy sector amid the oil dispute with Turkey, and addressed Iraq’s balancing act between the United States and Iran. Iraq
Analysis Can Netanyahu deliver US, Saudi demands for normalization with Israel? Although advancing talks with the Saudis on normalized relations with Israel, the Biden administration doubts whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can persuade his hard-line coalition to agree to significant steps vis-a-vis the Palestinians. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Inside Qatar’s key role in US-Iran prisoner swap Majed Al-Ansari, an adviser to the Qatari prime minister, details the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that led to the prisoner deal, and why Doha believes there now exists a “platform for dialogue” between Iran and the United States. Qatar
US approves $500 million sale of spare parts to Saudi military The announcement comes a day after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Saudi normalization with Israel is getting closer. Legacy: Gulf
Erdogan returns to Turkey after securing thaw with Israel on US trip Erdogan met with Netanyahu for the first time in New York, and is readying to visit Jerusalem as soon as next month. Turkey
Lebanon investigates shooting incident near US Embassy In a rare incident, an unknown assailant reportedly fired shots near entrance to the US embassy outside Beirut. Lebanon
Red carpet, honor guard and flowers: Syria’s Assad receives lavish welcome in China Assad will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first visit to China since 2004, potentially turning a page in Syria-China relations as Damascus seeks reconstruction help. Syria
Saudi Arabia's MBS warns if Iran gets nuclear weapons, 'we have to get one' Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman said that a normalization deal with Israel is getting "closer" as the negotiations continue on a Saudi civilian nuclear program. Saudi Arabia