Iraqi militia leader in US custody after arrest: What to know Authorities said the individual is linked to a mysterious pro-Iran group that has been claiming attacks on Jewish communities in Europe. Iraq
Analysis Why China didn’t hand Trump a breakthrough on Iran Trump's landmark three-day visit to China — the first for a US president since 2017 — included plenty of fanfare, flattery and awkward selfies but failed to produce deals or breakthroughs on Iran. By Rosaleen Carroll , Joyce Karam
Lebanon-Israel ceasefire extended 45 days as US opens security talks The Pentagon will host Israeli and Lebanese military delegations for a round of separate security talks later this month. Lebanon
Analysis ‘A reckless act’: Netanyahu sparks UAE fury by claiming secret visit Just as UAE-Israeli relations were deepening through cooperation against Iran, the Israeli prime minister publicly embarrassed Abu Dhabi by revealing his March visit. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says removing Iran’s uranium is more about optics By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump, Xi discuss Hormuz, but no Iran breakthrough expected By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
The Russian-Iranian alliance that wasn't Collaboration between Iran and Russia on regional matters is growing, but there are still major obstacles to a true Russian-Iranian alliance. Russia
Russia emerges as a center of gravity for Israel Given that Russia’s influence in the Middle East excluding Syria remains limited, Moscow is looking for other entry points — but can Israel offer such an opportunity? Palestine
US promises Turkey role in Raqqa in surprise Ankara meeting The United States has reached out to Turkey, which is fuming over US support for Kurdish-led forces in Syria, by sending its chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara and discuss Raqqa. Syria
Saudi Arabia losing ground to Iran Saudi influence in the region has been on the decline for a number of reasons, and the kingdom has now suffered another setback in Lebanon with the election of President Michel Aoun, an ally of Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia
How Iran’s auto industry became the new domestic political football Iranian hard-liners are targeting automotive sector policies in their latest attack on the administration of President Hassan Rouhani. United States
Clinton and Trump: How will it end? The presidential election is finally coming to an end — with 82% of voters saying the election has left them disgusted. United States
Jordan seeks US government's help in fight against terror finance lawsuit The Jordanian Embassy has hired Hogan Lovells to lobby the US government over a billion-dollar lawsuit against Jordan’s biggest bank. Jordan
Anti-US talk dominates Iranian media on anniversary of hostage crisis Across Iran, solemn speeches on the anniversary of the 1979 US Embassy takeover praised Tehran's defiance and expressed reservations about engaging with Washington. United States
Does Iranian law consider US a hostile state? Although Iran and the United States have been in a near-constant state of hostility over the past 3½ decades, it is still unclear whether the United States is technically an "enemy state" according to Iranian law. United States
US cool to Russia pause in Aleppo strikes Washington expressed skepticism about Russia’s plan to extend a pause in airstrikes on Aleppo until Nov. 4 so those needing medical care and opposition fighters could leave the city. Syria
Saudis turn to US states in bid to repeal 9/11 bill Riyadh’s latest lobbying push aims to enroll state governors. Saudi Arabia
Arabs seek new partnership with next US president A new poll shows widespread distrust but reliance on the United States. Saudi Arabia