No shift in US position on Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400s: Official A Turkish Defense Ministry official rebuffed claims that Turkey and the United States were close to a compromise on the impasse over Turkey having the Russian air defense systems. Turkey
Israeli military prepares for possible ground operation in Lebanon The Israeli military is activating two reserve soldier brigades in what could be part of the preparation for a possible ground invasion into Lebanon. Israel
Analysis Could Israel's Lebanon assault force Hezbollah withdrawal beyond Litani River? US and French mediation efforts to reach a deal between Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate tensions and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 have failed so far. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Qatar to join US visa-free travel list in first for Arab country Qatar is set to become the second Middle Eastern country, behind Israel, to join the US Visa Waiver Program. Qatar
Analysis Following defense deal, can Turkey, US split difference over Cyprus, East Med? By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Pager attacks shake Hezbollah; are they prelude to Israel-Lebanon deal? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey still working to get Altay tanks rolling After 12 years, things are finally falling into place for Turkey's indigenous Altay tank, but it can't get far without an engine. Turkey
Egypt, Russia making most of collaboration prospects Moscow and Cairo are fostering cooperation in various areas and are sure to maintain close bilateral relations in the midterm. Egypt
Why Israel needs new regional alliances Facing US intention to withdraw from Syria, Israel must establish new regional alliances. Saudi Arabia
US Syria effort hinges on unreliable Egypt The Donald Trump administration has reportedly asked Egypt to contribute money and troops to the Syria fight even as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has proven a challenging ally in battling the Islamic State at home. Egypt
Congress seeks to exert more control over Middle East wars Lawmakers want more of a say in US military activity in the wake of last weekend’s Syria strikes. Saudi Arabia
Russia takes low-key approach to West's strike on Syria The United States and Russia appear to have coordinated with each other on how to minimize repercussions from the Syrian strike. Syria
Turkey's running out of time to pick a partner in Syria Turkey's been playing the field in Syria, but as the crisis escalates, Ankara may have to make a commitment to either its NATO allies or Moscow. Syria
US freezes military aid to chaotic Libya US assistance from an Obama-era program remains shut down amid an uncertain security situation in the North African country. Libya
Putin, Erdogan, Rouhani extend circle of trust in Syria As the Astana process seizes the initiative on Syria, the United States could put Israel-Lebanon shuttle diplomacy to the test on Hezbollah. Israel
US ramps up counter-WMD spending amid Mideast proliferation threats The Pentagon is putting $6 million into countering weapons of mass destruction in five Middle Eastern countries, as US special operations forces take control of the fight. Syria
Energy, military cooperation dominate Putin’s visit to Turkey Turkey anticipates even deeper ties with Russia as the two countries embark on massive development projects and a major military contract. Turkey
Deadly Ankara-West fault line cracks open at Syria's Manbij Confrontation with the United States and the West is a necessary ingredient in Erdogan’s quest to consolidate his nationalist base, making it more likely that Turkey and the United States will collide over Manbij. Syria