Pentagon holds out hope of salvaging military sales to Turkey

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said today that he expects the Pentagon to deliver the Patriot air defense system to Turkey even as Ankara eyes a fall installation date for the Russian S-400.

Turkey

Will local election defeat force Erdogan to improve ties with West?

Turkey needs better ties with the United States and Europe to heal the ailing Turkish economy, but experts are not optimistic that Erdogan will do this.

Turkey

Uighur debate shows shifting influence in Turkish policies

Differences of opinion within the Turkish security bureaucracy on how to react to China’s treatment of Uighur Turks reveal competing camps.

Turkey

Israel's year of the undecided voter

Undecided voters will determine the outcome of the April 9 elections and with that the fate of the Arab Peace Initiative, which the Arab League endorsed yet again at its annual summit but has not registered on the radar of Israeli candidates or the media.

Israel

Druze feelings mixed about Trump’s recognition of Golan

Some Druze residents of the Golan Heights protested US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory, but others welcomed it.

Israel

Egypt targets artists in ongoing crackdown on dissent

Two Egyptian actors who decry human rights violations in Egypt before US Congress members are vilified at home, as is an Egyptian singer.

Egypt

Syria's Kurds increasingly isolated as Arab tribes cut deals with regime

As Damascus recovers more territory, Arab tribes throughout Syria are increasingly open to working with Damascus to restore security.

Syria

Did Trump’s decision on Golan undercut Putin mediation on Syria?

Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki; Turkey rethinks Syria ties over Kurds.

Israel

Key senator looks to block Apache sale to Egypt over injured American

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is calling for the State Department to hold a billion-dollar US helicopter sale to Egypt until Cairo pays for the medical bills of an American wounded in a 2015 attack.

Egypt

Iran hails Luxembourg court’s rejection of US asset seizure

Iran has welcomed a decision by a Luxembourg court rejecting an attempt by families of 9/11 victims to gain access to frozen Iranian assets for alleged Iranian involvement in the 2001 al-Qaeda attacks.

United States

Russian foreign minister heads to Turkey to seal visa deal

The Turkish and Russian foreign ministers will meet in Antalya Friday to discuss a range of topics as a controversial missile deal between Ankara and Moscow threatens to further deteriorate Turkey-US ties.

Turkey

Iran’s seeming restraint on Golan Heights puts Arab rivals in tough spot

Iran’s adoption of a low-profile position on Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights appears to be a calculated move to maximize Iran's regional interests.

Israel