Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates The findings cast doubt on Israel’s wartime gains and put pressure on Netanyahu’s campaign strategy ahead of elections. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
US strikes Iran tankers as UAE reports fresh missile, drone attacks Strikes on Iranian tankers and fresh exchanges in the Gulf escalate tensions as Washington awaits Tehran’s response to a deal proposal. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response US strikes and renewed exchanges in Hormuz cast doubt on the ceasefire as the Trump administration awaits Tehran’s response to a new proposal. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis China shores up Iran support as Trump seeks exit China understands how badly Trump wants an exit from the conflict. But timing is critical: if no agreement is reached before Trump arrives in China on Thursday, Beijing would be better positioned to set the agenda. By Joyce Karam
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US allies try to dilute anti-Iran agenda for Warsaw summit Wary European allies are trying to dilute and broaden the agenda and lower their diplomatic representation for a US-backed ministerial meeting on Middle East peace and security to be held Feb. 13-14 in Warsaw, Poland. United States
Congress in no hurry to act as Palestinians reject security aid A new law has unintentionally ended security assistance for the Palestinian Authority, and Congress is in no rush to fix it. Palestine
Turkey seeks life sentence against US Consulate employee A Turkish national and liaison officer for the DEA at the US Consulate in Istanbul has been indicted for espionage. Turkey
Senior Polish diplomat in Iran to mend ties amid Warsaw conference row Poland's deputy foreign minister visited Tehran to assure Iranians that an upcoming controversial conference in Warsaw will not turn into an anti-Iran event. United States
Netanyahu forsakes multilateralism in favor of bilateral alliances Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted President Donald Trump’s negative approach against UN agencies and international groups. Palestine
Drivers and barriers to Iran-US compromise in Syria The best option for Iran in post-war Syria would be to bargain over a regional compromise aimed at establishing limited policy cooperation with all influential actors; however, to realize such a scenario it is necessary for the barriers to a compromise to be removed. Lebanon
Lawmaker-turned-Saudi lobbyist raises eyebrows with campaign donations Former Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., donated $1,000 to a key lawmaker the same day he lobbied his office on behalf of the Saudis — a common practice in Washington. Congress
Trump administration finds its Iran policy not working The Trump administration conducted an internal assessment of its Iran “maximum pressure” policy this month and determined that it so far has been ineffective, according to a new report. United States
Pro-Palestinian lawmaker shakes up Israel status quo with seat on foreign affairs panel A lawmaker supportive of boycotting Israel has joined the House Foreign Affairs Committee, complicating congressional efforts to pass anti-boycott legislation. Palestine
Intel: How Trump used his missile defense rollout to take shots at Iran President Trump chastised Iran for attempting to launch a satellite earlier this week and pledged the United States would take a harder line on Iran. Legacy: Gulf
Can Iranian sovereign crypto-rial loosen sanctions straitjacket? The United States is gearing up to sanction Iran’s sovereign cryptocurrency in anticipation of its introduction. Russia