As Iran protests swell, Trump's messages mixed on US intervention President Trump attributed the scores of protester deaths to stampedes, even as videos show Iranian security forces are firing on protesters. Iran
Newsletter: Security Can US force Iran, Russia exit from Venezuela? US officials call out Hezbollah’s foothold in South America as Trump aims to wall off the Western Hemisphere from adversaries. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US envoy pushes for Sudan truce in meeting with UAE’s MBZ after talks in Saudi Arabia Boulos’ meeting in Abu Dhabi follows discussions earlier this week in Riyadh, as the two Gulf countries navigate both Sudan diplomacy and a dispute over Yemen. Sudan
Iran sees largest protest day as regime cuts internet: What to know Thousands of Iranians protested across the country on Thursday evening in one of the biggest challenges to Islamic Republic rule in decades. United States
Analysis US response muted as Gulf allies clash in Yemen By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Buoyed by Trump and protests, Israel sees opportunity against Iran regime By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US, Iraq look to continue strategic dialogue in Washington next month Following an initial round of talks in Baghdad, Iraq and the United States have agreed to maintain and expand cooperation in various realms. Iraq
Qatar National Bank hit with lawsuit over Americans killed by Hamas in Israel A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in New York by dozens of relatives of 10 Americans killed or wounded by Hamas attacks in Israel and the West Bank. Qatar
Intel: Congress pushes back against Pentagon plan to withdraw US forces from Egypt’s Sinai Congress is using a key defense bill to push back against Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s reported plans to withdraw US peacekeeping forces from Egypt’s Sinai. Egypt
Intel: Trump lines up behind Libya cease-fire proposed by Egypt’s Sisi President Donald Trump praised Egypt for its Libya cease-fire proposal during a conversation on Wednesday with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
US-Iraq strategic talks launched with increasing national, regional support Iraq has begun a strategic dialogue with the United States that promises to shape various aspects of the two countries' relationship. Iraq
US response muted as Turkey gives consulate employee harsh prison sentence A Turkish staff member of the US Consulate in Istanbul has been handed nearly nine years in prison in what some analysts suggest is a sign that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "new era" in US-Turkish relations will be one of increasing US leniency. Turkey
Will Netanyahu opt for partial annexation? Some reports say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might opt for a phased annexation plan for the West Bank that, at least at first, would exclude the Jordan Valley. Palestine
Erdogan banks on Trump’s friendship to deal with Libya Turkey needs the support of the United States more than it did months ago to implement its regional agenda in Libya and beyond. Turkey
Intel: State Department official 'tried to bully' watchdog reviewing Saudi arms sale The independent watchdog ousted by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that a high-ranking State Department official “tried to bully” him in part because of his review of last year’s emergency arms sale for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia
US watchdog group: Turkey’s actions in Syria endanger religious diversity The partial withdrawal of US troops from northeast Syria in October created a vacuum for religious repression, a bipartisan US agency says. Syria
Rocket hits Baghdad as US-Iraq dialogue set to launch In order to reorganize the relationship between the two countries in various aspects, Iraq and the United States are negotiating over a new strategic agreement. Iraq
Four injured in US military transport plane crash at Iraq’s Camp Taji An Air Force C-130 Hercules struck a wall, damaging the aircraft and causing a fire onboard. Iraq