Analysis Why Venezuela is moving closer to Israel but stopping short of full ties Israel and Venezuela have practical and strategic reasons for advancing their relations after years of hostility, but establishing full ties faces challenges. By Rina Bassist , Adam Lucente
As Saudi Arabia rallies against Yemen's Houthis, US stays focused on Iran By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
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 By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Security A new Middle East security order? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iran warns of more ship seizures in defiance of US Marines' Gulf deployment Tehran ratcheted up its rhetoric against Washington in the wake of fresh American reinforcement in the Persian Gulf, prompted by the Iranian "harassment" of international commercial ships there. Iran
Islamic State attack in Raqqa kills 10 Syrian soldiers, second in a week IS militants attacked several positions and checkpoints of the Syrian government and allied fighters in the group’s former stronghold of Raqqa. Syria
UK sanctions entities in Turkey, UAE, Iran for alleged role in Ukraine war It is not the first time Britain has sanctioned companies from these countries for their alleged role in the 18-month-old conflict. Turkey
Analysis Israel's extremist settlers control government as Netanyahu dismisses warnings The latest fatal incident in the West Bank town of Burqa shows that settlers now have the upper hand in the Netanyahu government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why is US sending 3,000 Navy, Marines force to Persian Gulf? The Pentagon has not yet specified the Marines' role in deterring Iran from interfering with commercial shipping and threatening neighboring Arab states. Iran
In first foreign policy speech, Turkey's FM asks NATO to be 'considerate,' slams PKK Laying out Turkey's foreign policy priorities, Hakan Fidan set forth a national security-oriented agenda, striking a more hawkish tone on the Kurdistan Workers Party while softening his language on regional ties. Turkey
Ukraine sanctions Israeli-Georgian billionaire accused of backing Russia Israeli press reported today that Israeli-Georgian businessman Mikhael Mirilashvili, considered close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was blacklisted by Ukraine several months ago. Israel
Saudi Arabia agrees to produce Turkey’s Baykar drones Riyadh wants to boost its military might, especially with the prospect of its main rival Iran developing its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s foreign minister meets Japanese counterpart in rare Tokyo trip Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Japan comes amid mounting tensions in the region over Iran’s nuclear activities and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. Iran
Israel to include Gaza Americans in US visa waiver trial After agreeing to facilitate the passage of American-Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel has agreed to similar conditions for those residing in Gaza. Israel
Israeli settler kills Palestinian in Burqa, seven arrested After arresting two settlers over the fatal incident at the West Bank town of Burqa, where a young Palestinian was killed, police have detained five Palestinians on suspicion of riots and attacks. Israel
China 'participated actively’ in Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia Pro-Kyiv Western countries had failed to secure China’s presence at previous Ukraine peace talks. Saudi Arabia