On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on Iran in his Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump, while the US leader is more likely to want to discuss Lebanon and Syria. United States
Trump says Iran seeks talks after strikes halted An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two sides have communicated only through intermediaries. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says it doesn’t seek to resume negotiations with Washington Sharaa says Syria seeks security deal with Israel; Red Sea shipping slows after Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Ahead of Trump meeting, Netanyahu lays groundwork for Israel to rejoin Iran war Reports of an Iranian espionage ring and nuclear centrifuges movement could help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make the case to the Israeli public and Donald Trump to rejoin the war, ahead of a critical election in October. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns Trump against seizing frozen assets By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump threatens Iran bridges, power plants over Hormuz attacks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
‘Pro bono’ lobbyists bet on regime change payday Unpaid lobbying contracts can lead to lucrative connections by helping the right people get into power. Lebanon
UN fingers Israeli spyware firm in Bezos hack UN investigators say Saudi use of NSO Group software was the “most likely explanation” for the hacking attack against the Amazon CEO. Saudi Arabia
Donald Trump, the 'divine gift' to Iranian hard-liners Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who had advocated diplomacy with the West, has lost public support after the United States' assassination of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, giving hard-liners an opening they can easily exploit. United States
Are we seeing the calm before the storm in the Gulf? The Gulf states need calm for economic growth and security, but it all depends on what the United States and Iran do next. Saudi Arabia
How Soleimani’s slaying could affect Iran-Saudi ties The US killing of Iran’s revered Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani could pose serious security repercussions for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump set to meet Iraqi leaders amid sanctions threats The White House announced Jan. 20 that President Donald Trump will meet his Iraqi counterpart, Barham Salih, this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump is also set to meet separately with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. Iraq
Iran in tug of war over downed plane's flight recorders The international probe into a Ukrainian plane downed by Iran is facing bumps as Tehran is refusing to transfer abroad the recovered black boxes, while admitting it doesn't know how to decipher the data. United States
Israel’s Gantz shifts stance, supports early publication of peace plan The Blue and White leadership has changed its strategy and is now welcoming an early publication of the Donald Trump administration's peace plan. Palestine
Egypt advises Iraq to expel US, other forces in bid for stability Egypt is recommending that Baghdad expel all foreign forces, including those of the United States, from Iraqi territory following the US drone strike that killed Iran’s top Quds Force commander, Qasem Soleimani, at the Baghdad airport. Egypt
Iraqi minorities concerned about possible US troop withdrawal Iraqi minorities are afraid that rising tensions between Iran and the United States might end the US troop presence in the country. Iraq
Iraq’s sidelined Sunnis weigh options amid US-Iran conflict Iraq’s Sunni politicians, who are facing great challenges in managing areas still recovering from the damage caused by the Islamic State, worry that Iran-US tensions will have an added negative effect. Iraq
Pentagon set to ramp up student vetting after Pensacola shooting Foreign military students in the United States will face new restrictions after the shooting at a Florida naval base in December. Saudi Arabia