Rubio: US-Iran talks 'positive,' no breakthrough yet The top US diplomat said it was "significant" the two warring sides spoke at all. Iran
Pezeshkian says Iran open to US talks, region must settle own disputes “Our regional issues must be resolved in the region at the hands of the countries in the region,” Iran's president said on Wednesday. Iran
Trump tells Middle East leaders US-Iran talks have ‘momentum’ Trump hosted top officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council states, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq on the sidelines of UN General Assembly. United States
Turkey, US sign $2M grant deal for small nuclear reactors: What to know The new cooperation deal comes as Ankara seeks to expand nuclear power and reduce reliance on Russia. Turkey
Analysis Why Netanyahu is distancing himself from Trump ahead of Israeli election By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing UAE's Gargash expects 'prolonged' war By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive Turkey, US resume F-16 talks ahead of expected Trump-Erdogan meeting By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Skepticism looms over Egypt’s plan to develop Sinai The Egyptian minister of planning announced $316 million worth of investments in the Sinai Peninsula for fiscal year 2020, but observers are skeptical in light of the threats posed by the Islamic State in Sinai. Egypt
Trump leans into Macron's Iran diplomacy, open to meet Rouhani US President Donald Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to try to arrange a meeting between Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss prospects for a new deal in the coming weeks. United States
Rouhani defends Zarif’s G-7 appearance Conservative Iranian media outlets found much to criticize in Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s surprise arrival at the G-7 meeting, but President Hassan Rouhani is standing by the move. United States
Israel 2019: There is still hope for coexistence In stark contrast to the racist performances of two of Rabbi Kahane’s top disciples, who were disqualified from running for the Knesset, the success of a joint performance by Jews and Arabs singing of peace and equality stands out. Israel
US influence on the line if Israel has 'free hand' to bomb Iraq Israeli attacks in Iraq signal need for some red lines with Iran. Iraq
Why Iran has been quiet when it comes to Syria's Idlib, safe zone Iran has been careful not to antagonize Turkey while also opposing US-Turkish agreements on Syria. Syria
Why is Netanyahu reviving Palestinians' ‘willing relocation’? Past attempts to encourage Palestinians to voluntarily emigrate have always failed, so time and effort would be better invested in reaching an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement than pursuing a new push by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Gaza residents to voluntarily move elsewhere. Near East
Syrians in makeshift displacement camp face ‘impossible choice’ A joint United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent mission has arrived at the Rukban camp, near the Jordanian border, where more than 10,000 people are living in dire conditions, to ask them if they want to go back to the government-held area of Homs province. Jordan
Hamas seeks ties with other factions, Palestinian families Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar revealed details of a recent meeting between Hamas and Islamic Jihad to coordinate efforts to confront Israel and pursue the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Macron to press Trump on Iran diplomacy at G-7 French President Emmanuel Macron says he will present US President Donald Trump ideas for an economic incentive package to try to advance Iran diplomacy at the G-7 summit in Biarritz this weekend. United States
Netanyahu turns his back on Democrats, US Jews Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not react to the statement by President Donald Trump about American Jews not loyal to their homeland, because for a long while now he has not counted them as a strategic asset of Israel. Israel
What was behind regional tour of Iranian foreign minister? Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif goes to Kuwait and Qatar to promote dialogue, perhaps because opportunities that once developed through Oman may no longer be as fruitful as they once were. Saudi Arabia