Exclusive Saudi Arabia to announce Red Sea coalition to counter Houthi threats Around 50 countries have been invited to join the Saudi-led initiative aimed at countering Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping and preventing a repeat of recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba
Analysis Katz riles Iran, US as Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to settle for a brief meeting with President Donald Trump, while his defense minister, Israel Katz, appeared intent on provoking Iran by publicly disclosing sensitive intelligence. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iraq's Zaidi cancels Riyadh visit after US-Saudi strikes Netanyahu lauds 'excellent' Trump meeting; Turkey detains another opposition mayor; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel’s Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Lebanon with Trump Oman proposes Hormuz management plan; Iraq's Zaidi pays first visit to Turkey; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says it doesn’t seek to resume negotiations with Washington 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 By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Sanders warns Trump against illegal Iran strike Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is warning Donald Trump that he does not have the legal authority to strike Iran. Saudi Arabia
Iran denies involvement in Saudi attacks Iranian analysts believe the United States and Iran are not headed toward conflict after the attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities. Saudi Arabia
Saudi oil facility attack challenges Washington's regional commitment While the recent attacks on two Saudi oil facilities will impact global oil prices, it is the US commitment in the region that is under attack. Saudi Arabia
Iran sends a powerful signal to counter Iraqi nationalist trend Iraqi populist Muqtada al-Sadr’s trip to Iran presents opportunity for the United States. Iraq
Can trade dialogue help improve Turkish-US ties? Amid the lingering threat of US sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross paid a long visit to Turkey, leading many to believe bilateral trade will be set apart from the political rows between the two countries. Syria
Netanyahu tries to bring 'Iran threat' home to Russia In the last four years Sochi has become a key Russian decision-making center on issues related to the Middle East; Netanyahu has now come there to have a say. Israel
Congress inches closer to pulling US out of Yemen war Congress is looking to must-pass spending bills to force President Donald Trump’s hand on Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Zarif's 12-nation tour highlights an active Iranian diplomacy Despite the US sanctions imposed on him, Iran's foreign minister was not hindered in his whirlwind diplomatic tour of Europe and Asia. Kuwait
Regional, international actors risk making matters worse in Iraq's Sinjar The conflict over controlling the strategic area of Sinjar along Iraq's borders with Turkey and Syria has made the Yazidis' situation worse. Iraq
Iran celebrates Bolton ouster The departure of John Bolton, the US administration's most relentless Iran hawk, at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington was good news across the political spectrum in Iran. United States
Palestinians: Trump's plan, not Greenblatt, is the problem Palestinians do not think the resignation of US Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt will make a difference to the fate of the so-called deal of the century. Palestine
Will Russia reinforce Iraq's air defenses? Iraqi authorities are considering moves to reinforce the country's air defense systems with Russian help following alleged Israeli strikes. Iraq