Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel strikes south Lebanon after 2 soldiers killed Tehran says Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz shipping route; US lifts sanctions on Iraqi airline linked to Iran's IRGC; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
AIPAC to oppose El-Sayed after major Michigan primary victory The America Israel Public Affairs Committee said it will work to oppose Abdul El-Sayed’s “radical anti-Israel agenda” as his opponent seeks to paint him as extreme. United States
Israel-Lebanon talks suspended amid escalation, set to resume Thursday The Israeli delegation asked the American representatives to suspend the direct talks with Lebanon for a few hours over alleged leaks by Beirut. Lebanon
US lifts sanctions on Iraqi airline linked to Iran's IRGC: What to know The airline was previously sanctioned for providing assistance for the IRGC and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Hormuz to reopen after ‘very good’ Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Netanyahu’s Gaza double game: Back Trump, reassure Israel’s right By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pentagon plays down Russian influence in Syria after clash with US-backed forces Secretary of Defense James Mattis insisted that Moscow had little control over Syrian troops that attacked US allies; Mattis also dismissed fears that the United States is getting dragged into another Middle East war. Syria
US support for Kurds in Iraq, Syria unaffected by tensions with Turkey The Pentagon is standing by Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria despite growing political pressure to back off, according to a government audit. Iraq
Leaks on 'deal of the century' aimed at taking Palestinian pulse Observers viewed that while leaked details of the "deal of the century" are obviously designed to take the pulse of the Palestinians, the deal itself is a blow to the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Tillerson travels to Middle East to talk post-IS stability Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey next week. But veteran diplomats warn that US goals for Syria need to be scaled back. Egypt
Rouhani says US lost 'golden opportunity’ for bilateral dialogue Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States has lost a golden opportunity for dialogue with Tehran. United States
US maintains mystery about long-term intentions in Syria Remember that "border force" the US said it was, and then wasn't, forming in Syria? Apparently, it's already there. Iraq
Military audit confirms US tanks ended up with Iran-backed militias The US effort to assess Iraq’s military capabilities is plagued by weak oversight, an inspector general report found. Iraq
Iran’s Zarif: Nuclear deal only remaining Obama legacy Trump hasn't removed Iran’s foreign minister plays down the likelihood that the Trump administration will tear up the nuclear deal. United States
Will Europe be there when Israel needs it? If the Israeli government expects the international community to heed the “serious threat” posed by Iranian activity in the region, it must be prepared to discuss the serious threat posed by Israeli activity in the Palestinian territories it occupies. Palestine
Palestinians turn to Turkey The Palestinians are hopeful that Turkey’s promises of increased financial aid will make up for the losses resulting from the United States reducing its aid to UNRWA. Palestine
Assad, Turkey hamper US assistance for Syria The Assad regime’s territorial gains and the Turkish offensive in Afrin are conspiring to keep the world’s largest aid donor on the sidelines. Syria
US troop drawdown seen as boosting Iraq’s Abadi The US decision to withdraw troops from Iraq could help the Iraqi prime minister’s re-election campaign. Iraq