CENTCOM opens air defense cell at Qatar's Al Udeid base: What to know Bringing together military officers from regional countries to coordinate air and missile defense marks a nascent step in CENTCOM’s decades-long push to diplomatically facilitate air defense cooperation between Gulf states against Iran. United States
US designates Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorist organizations: What to know The designations of the Brotherhood's branches in Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan follow President Donald Trump's executive order in November targeting the pan-Islamist movement. United States
Analysis Israel assesses Trump may opt for Iran strike despite protest crackdown The prevailing assessment in Israel is that US President Trump will opt to strike the Tehran government in order to show the protesters that the United States has not abandoned them. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel holds drills, prepares missile defenses for possible Iran attack: What to know Israel is on high alert over the possibility of an American strike on Iran, which could trigger Iranian retaliation against the Jewish state. Israel
Newsletter: Security Can US force Iran, Russia exit from Venezuela? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Intel: Trump administration claims Palestinian aid not reaching people who need it Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, explaining the Donald Trump administration’s decision to provide $5 million in COVID-19 assistance to the Palestinians in place of $75 million appropriated overall, said US economic and humanitarian aid for the West Bank and Gaza is being cut in general because it was not reaching the people. Palestine
Intel: Erdogan reportedly agrees to ship ventilator parts, PPE to United States President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is approving an export permit that will allow Turkey to sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilator parts to the United States. Turkey
Delayed S-400 activation could offer chance for Turkey-US ties to warm Citing complications amid the coronavirus pandemic, Ankara has postponed the activation of its Russian-made S-400 missile systems, possibly opening an avenue to ease US-Turkey tensions. Turkey
Islamic State steps up attacks in Iraq during coronavirus lockdown The Islamic State launched numerous attacks in Iraq's disputed territories in April amid a lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Iraq
Intel: Trump to 'look at' blocking Saudi oil exports as Republican pressure mounts President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to "look at" a potential embargo on Saudi oil shipments to the United States as record low oil prices turned negative for the first time ever. Saudi Arabia
Gantz-Netanyahu deal legitimizes annexation The possibility of further Israeli annexation of occupied territories has received legitimacy from the Israeli government, pushing even further into the abyss the slight possibility of a two-state solution. Palestine
Israel’s new foreign minister, the man without a tie In Israel’s Foreign Ministry, diplomats hope that their new minister, former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, can extract the ministry from the terrible budget cuts it has suffered over the past few years. Israel
Will post-coronavirus world bring chill to Israel-China relations? Not everyone in Israel, especially in the defense establishment, is enthusiastic about cooperating with a large China company in the battle against the coronavirus. Israel
What oil markets' 'bloody Monday' means for Gulf producers Gulf producers must navigate between an angry White House and Congress, with the threat of tariffs, and uncertainty regarding Asian partners and demand as a result of the pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
Iranian FM meets with Syria’s Assad amid coronavirus pandemic Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meets with his counterpart Walid Moallem and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as Turkey accuses Syria of breaking the cease-fire in Idlib province. Syria
Iran says pandemic will not force talks with the US In today's Iran media review, Iranian officials have rejected a statement by US President Donald Trump to enter negotiations with the United States. United States
Intel: Trump, Erdogan discuss coronavirus as pandemic worsens in Turkey President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday as the coronavirus rapidly spreads through both countries. Turkey