Newsletter: China-Middle East China breathes easier with Iran deescalation but challenges linger Beijing is relieved as signs emerge of deescalation between the United States and Iran, assuaging fears of a confrontation that could have disrupted Gulf stability and China’s energy supplies. By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
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. Amos Yadlin Former head of Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate
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
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
Rouhani adviser says US claims on plane crash ‘media war' Iranian officials claim they are working with Ukrainian authorities to investigate the plane crash in Tehran but claim US accusations that they shot the plane down themselves is a “media war.” United States
Iraqi protesters decry Iranian and US interference Over three months since anti-government protests began in Iraq, attention has shifted to geopolitical fears of regional war. Iraq
Trump's threat to Iran's antiquities sets off global uproar With 24 recognized sites, Iran is most heavily represented Middle Eastern country on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. United States
Lebanon reacts following Nasrallah speech Supporters of Lebanon’s Hezbollah were divided over its leader’s speech following the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, with some saying Hezbollah must react and others saying the Iranian strikes at the military bases in Iraq were enough. Lebanon
Hamas intensifies Western dialogues to break political isolation Hamas has stepped up its meetings with US and EU officials in an attempt to break its isolation and emerge on the international diplomatic scene. Palestine
Bernie Sanders, Ilhan Omar push Democrats left on Iran war powers The Congressional Progressive Caucus has been instrumental in setting the Democratic agenda to push back against President Donald Trump’s Iran policy. Yemen
Dueling Middle East lobbyists rush to praise Trump for Soleimani killing Foreign agents seeking to sway the president on behalf of both warring factions in Libya are among the cheer squad. United States
Iraqi protests got caught in an Iranian-American war The escalation between US and Iran left Iraqis trapped with many nightmares threatening their protests, economy and country’s unity. Iraq
IRGC general claims Iran did not target troops in attack The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force commander has said that Iran targeted a command center in its missile attack in Iraq. United States
Intel: How a new report bolsters US case that Iran attacked Saudi Arabia A confidential United Nations report rebutted claims from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels that they were responsible for a missile attack on two Saudi oil facilities in September. Saudi Arabia
Ankara struggles to adapt to new geopolitical reality after Soleimani’s killing After a brief wait-and-see period in the wake of Qasem Soleimani’s killing, Turkey appears inclined to try a mediator’s role between the United States, Iran and Iraq. Syria
Jordan feels Soleimani side effects The assassination of Iran’s top commander, Qasem Soleimani, has raised concerns in Jordan, with analysts fearing retaliation against US military assets in the kingdom. Iraq