Pentagon doesn’t clarify ‘imminent’ threat to kill Soleimani Statements from the Pentagon throw into question Trump's justification for the US strike on Qasem Soleimani. By Jack Detsch
Can Libya be turned around and become Russia's 'second Syria'? Russia took an opportunity to mediate between the warring parties in Libya only to see Khalifa Hifter turn his back on Moscow's initiative — perhaps, just for now. By Marianna Belenkaya
Intel: Warren threatens Trump with insider trading probe over Soleimani strike Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen urged an insider trading investigation into President Donald Trump for reportedly telling Mar-a-Lago guests about the Soleimani strike in advance, according to a joint letter sent to the chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Monday. By Joe Snell
Intel: Will US citizen's death result in sanctions on Egypt? Moustafa Kassem, a US citizen detained in Egypt for more than six years, died in prison Monday after a heart attack stemming from his yearlong hunger strike in protest of his incarceration. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
What will happen first: Iranian nuclear bomb or fall of the regime? Israel is concerned not only about Iran enriching uranium to assemble a nuclear bomb but also about the possibility of Iran developing a missile that could carry such a bomb. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran makes arrests in plane crash probe amid public fury Iran's judiciary says arrests have been made in connection with the crash of a Ukrainian plane last week that Tehran blamed on a "human error" by its armed forces. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran’s next moves depend on US Iran is likely to choose a measured response to US actions, as long as Washington does the same in return, while at the same time trying to increase US costs of staying in the region. By Alireza Noori
Erdogan vows to defend Tripoli government after Libya talks fail Following the failure of a Russia-Turkey-brokered peace deal in Libya, Turkey's president reaffirmed his pledge to defend the government in Tripoli ahead of Sunday’s Berlin Conference. By Diego Cupolo
European powers trigger Iran deal dispute mechanism The step by the United Kingdom, France and Germany is intended to buy time to resolve the impasse over Iran reducing its adherence to the nuclear deal to protest a lack of sanctions relief, but analysts fear it could hasten the accord’s demise. By Laura Rozen
Netanyahu — not Mr. Security, not Mr. Economy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers that Israel’s growing deficit will not come up on the March election agenda. By Akiva Eldar
Turkey edges toward Islamic law with new finance rules Turkey's ruling party has imposed religious rules in the public sphere, a move that could have major implications for the country's future. By Orhan Kemal Cengiz
Fighters in Iraq's Anbar wary of US-Iran conflict as Denmark pulls forces Due to rising US-Iran tension in Iraq, Denmark has said it will pull most of its elite military trainers out of the country. By Shelly Kittleson
What’s behind Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's foreign tour? The Hamas delegation returned to the Gaza Strip from a foreign tour in which it sought further support for the Palestinian cause from the international community. By Entsar Abu Jahal
Anti-Turkey alliance grows as Ankara sends troops to Libya Turkey has already made enemies through its maritime exploits in the Mediterranean, and now Egypt is seeking to build international pressure against Ankara's military moves in Libya. By Ahmed Gomaa
Egypt refuses to extradite Gadhafi-linked leaders to Libya Six former senior leaders affiliated with the late Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi can stay in Egypt despite Libyan efforts to have them returned for trial, the Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court has ruled. By A correspondent in Sinai
Jordanians press case against importing Israeli gas A confrontation between the Jordanian government and parliament looms after the launch of a trial run pumping Israeli natural gas to Jordan amid vocal public opposition. By Mohammad Ersan