Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps Some Israelis worry the US president might force them to accept an unsatisfactory agreement driven by his inability to secure a tangible achievement in Iran. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
How are Iran-linked tankers still moving through Hormuz blockade? At least 19 Iran-linked tankers have passed through the US blockade on the strait to exit the Gulf while at least 15 have entered, according to the cargo-tracking group Vortexa. Iran
Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war As US President Trump makes contradictory statements regarding his intentions toward Iran and the ongoing negotiations, Israel is preparing for the possibility of resuming military operations. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Biden and the Middle East: Year one review It's been one year since Joe Biden was sworn in as US president. We take a look at his statements on the Middle East and see where things stand today. United States
UAE seeks Pentagon’s support following drone attack on Abu Dhabi The UAE has asked the Biden administration to reinstate a prior terrorist designation for Yemen's Houthi rebels. Yemen
Biden's Yemen envoy to visit Gulf after Houthi-claimed UAE attack In the wake of aerial attacks on United Arab Emirates claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the US special envoy for Yemen will travel to the Gulf this week. Yemen
Iraq: Woman, child injured in rocket attack on US Embassy Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that the United States reserves the right to retaliate for such attacks. Iraq
Intel: Biden faces bipartisan frustration over Syria policy The top members on the House and Senate foreign affairs panels cautioned against giving “tacit approval of formal diplomatic engagement with the Syrian regime.” Syria
US troops in Syria, Iraq targeted with renewed rocket and drone attacks Iran-backed militias are not buying the Pentagon's attempt to rebrand the coalition's defeat-ISIS mission. Iraq
Protests in New York after man wearing Israeli military shirt attacked The incident was the latest showcasing divisions in the United States’ largest city over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel
Here's what the 2022 NDAA has to say about the Middle East These are the key takeaways on what the 2022 NDAA says – and doesn’t say – about US policy in the region. United States
Intel: US concerned over Iran, Turkey, UAE-supplied drones in Ethiopia war Ethiopia's government has rejected calls for a cease-fire after routing Tigray rebels with the help of high-tech foreign drones. The Horn of Africa
US-Palestinian economic ties resume after 5 years Palestinians have reluctantly agreed to give the economic track a chance after it became obvious that there was no movement expected on the political track. Palestine
Intel: Final defense bill gives Congress more oversight of US Syria policy Lawmakers are grabbing the reins on the Biden administration’s dormant approach to Syria’s conflict. Syria