Interview Yadlin: Israel’s regime-change goal in Iran remote without US 'boots on the ground' The former head of Israel's military intelligence directorate told Al-Monitor that Israel must prepare itself for a possible Iranian response if the US follows through on its threat to hit the Islamic Republic.
US evacuates some personnel from Qatar air base amid Trump threat to strike Iran Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned Tuesday that Tehran will retaliate for any attacks on the country. United States
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 By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Security Can US force Iran, Russia exit from Venezuela? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Hamas failing to rally West Bank against US peace plan Security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is the main obstacle to Hamas’ efforts to mobilize armed resistance in the West Bank after the unveiling of the US peace plan. Palestine
SDF avoids fight with Trump over budget cut The Trump administration's proposed 2021 budget would diminish the SDF's ability to effectively fight IS, but the coalition is unlikely to protest the steep cuts out of fear of angering Trump. Syria
Meet the AIPAC leaders bankrolling the Bernie Sanders attack ads Several high-profile AIPAC donors are bankrolling ads against Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid as the lobbying group tackles the growing criticism of Israel among Democrats. Israel
Edelman strikes $6 million deal with Saudis to promote G-20 business summit Saudi petrochemicals company SABIC has hired the Chicago-based PR giant to support this year’s Business 20 gathering in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Iran says Zarif met with US senator for ‘public diplomacy’ Iran’s foreign minister says his weekend meeting with a US senator in Germany was a diplomatic effort to get his nation’s voice heard by the American people. Congress
Intel: Why Trump is calling a Democrat’s Iran meeting illegal President Donald Trump doubled down on his accusation today that Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., violated the law by meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at the annual Munich Security Conference over the weekend. United States
Trump-linked lobbyist turns from Gulf Arabs to more toxic clients Robert Stryk’s Sonoran Policy Group is hemorrhaging both clients and employees. Saudi Arabia
Jordan stands firm against Trump deal despite risks to ties There are growing concerns that Jordan’s defiance toward the US peace plan for the Middle East could affect its strategic ties with the United States. Palestine
Is the time ripe for ultimate eclipse of al-Qaeda in Yemen? The irreparable decline of al-Qaeda requires Yemen’s problems — particularly political, military and economic issues — to be fixed. Yemen
Is Turkey planning to curb radicals in Idlib under strategy shift? In a scenario that invokes its Afrin operation in 2018, Ankara speaks of reining in radical groups and asserting field control in Idlib, hoping that Moscow will give it a nod to avoid war. Syria
Turkish MPs make Washington charm offensive as Ankara-Moscow ties strain A Turkish delegation arrives in Washington to find a way forward for US-Turkish relations. Turkey
Egypt shows diplomatic finesse forging Gaza cease-fire Hamas' agreement to refrain from attacks, for now, puts Gaza on the back burner for Israeli elections. Palestine