Rubio hosts Ethiopia’s FM amid push to boost security ties: What to know In response to heightening regional volatility, Ethiopia is prioritizing a strategic partnership with the Washington to secure its geopolitical standing. Sudan
Trump calls Iran response 'piece of garbage,' set to meet military advisers A US Navy nuclear submarine reached port in Gibraltar on Sunday in an unsubtle signal from the Pentagon. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump rejects Iran's latest proposal Washington and Tehran harden positions after Iran’s response to a US peace proposal fails to break the deadlock. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Netanyahu fears being left out as Trump pursues Iran diplomacy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s suspension of Project Freedom and move toward talks with Iran, but analysts say Washington may not be fully weighing Israel's concerns in negotiations with Tehran. Israel
Analysis CIA report on Iran missiles undercuts Netanyahu as war euphoria dissipates By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hormuz clashes cloud diplomacy as US awaits Iran response By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Abbas trapped by Trump following Jerusalem proclamation Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is trapped by a US administration that does not understand the regional damage caused by the Jerusalem proclamation. Palestine
Istanbul summit exposes divisions within Arab world The Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit exposed Arab differences and Arab-Islamic tensions, and the reactions to both the OIC summit and the Arab League meetings were similarly pessimistic. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's Soleimani sends message of defiance in calls to Hamas In the aftermath of the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the head of the Quds Force called the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to affirm Iran's ongoing political and military support. Palestine
Republican dig at Iran deal jeopardizes effort to keep government open Congressional efforts to ban future purchases of heavy water from Iran could complicate efforts to avoid a government shutdown. Congress
Turkish commander accuses US of sabotage Distrust between the United States and Turkey is at a new low as an anonymous Turkish commander claims that US-manufactured and supplied bombs dropped on Kurdish separatist targets were duds. Turkey
Turkey’s problem with Syrian Kurds far from over Ankara has accepted the Russian proposal to have Kurdish participation in Syrian national reconciliation while excluding the PYD, but the latter will remain the elephant in the room. Iraq
Egypt's top religious institutions unite against Trump's Jerusalem move Al-Azhar and the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church hope to pressure the US administration into renouncing its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel through recently launched boycott campaigns. Palestine
Israelis, Palestinians need European mediation The Jerusalem proclamation by US President Donald Trump put an end to the American role as honest broker between Israel and the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
PA looks for replacement to US as Mideast peace process sponsor Following the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the Palestinian Authority has endeavored to find a new sponsor for the peace process, yet this could be complicated by lack of options and threats to existing financial aid agreements. Palestine
Is PA living up to Palestinians' expectations over Jerusalem? The Palestinian leadership seems to be taking slow actions vis-a-vis Washington to counter US President Donald Trump's decision on Jerusalem. Palestine
Trump national security strategy doubles down on Iran The US president’s first national security strategy outlines the White House’s growing campaign to turn the screws on Iran. United States
Iran calls Haley's missile claim 'ridiculous' Iranian officials view UN Ambassador Nikki Haley’s speech accusing Tehran of sending missiles to the Houthis in Yemen as politically motivated. Saudi Arabia