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
Egypt accuses Congress of raining on Sisi's parade Egyptian officials have reacted with anger to a US congressional resolution on the persecution of Copts in Egypt, laying blame on the Muslim Brotherhood and saying comments critical of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ruined Jan. 25 celebrations. Egypt
Ankara uses Afrin campaign to showcase Turkish-made weapons Amid snubs by Western arms suppliers, leaders in Ankara are eager to highlight progress in the Turkish defense industry during the military offensive on Afrin. Turkey
Can Europe save the Palestinian Authority? Threats by President Donald Trump to cut assistance to the Palestinians could lead to opening the door to the European Union in the diplomatic as well as economic realm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Iran hopeful about Europe remaining in nuclear deal Iran’s deputy foreign minister has expressed satisfaction with Europe's resistance to US pressures to kill the nuclear deal. United States
Olive Branch wins Erdogan friends at home, but risks standoff with US Despite the success of Ankara's Syrian military operation in closing Turkish ranks around him, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the possibility of a military confrontation between Turkey and the United States. Syria
Jordan, Israel resume frosty relations It appears that Jordan has quietly accepted Israel’s apology for the killing of two Jordanians by an Israeli Embassy guard in Amman without the perpetrator being put on trial. Palestine
Israel moves forward with gradual annexation of West Bank The latest proposal to apply Israeli law on West Bank higher education institutions is part of the settlers’ strategy to gradually annex Palestinian lands. Palestine
Qatar visit to the US aims to break Gulf gridlock Qatar is using a high-level visit to Washington to get the Donald Trump administration’s support to broker a deal to end the monthslong Saudi-led embargo. Qatar
Trump puts Israeli-Palestinian security coordination at risk Threats by US President Donald Trump to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority endangers the so-called Dayton Force and their security coordination with Israel. Palestine
Is US bailing on Syrian Kurds? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ignores appeals for restraint in northern Syria, appears to have gotten Washington to end support for the YPG. Syria
US military aid to Egypt under scrutiny on uprising’s anniversary The Donald Trump administration has taken a harder line on military assistance to Egypt as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi moves away from Washington. Egypt
Yemen’s southern separatists take case to Congress Yemen’s UAE-backed secessionists have hired a US lobby firm to build support for their cause as they threaten to overthrow the UN-backed government in Aden. United Arab Emirates