US says Gaza cease-fire talks in ‘end game’ with new proposal Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel Saturday ahead of cease-fire negotiations that are set to resume in Cairo next week. Palestine
Analysis Pessimism prevails as Gaza cease-fire talks resume in Doha Negotiators are meeting in Doha for what the Biden administration has described as “final stage” Gaza cease-fire talks. But with Hamas refusing to participate and Israel driving a hard bargain, is there any reason for optimism? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war. Israel
Qatar to host Gaza cease-fire talks amid Iran-Israel tension: What we know Hamas says it will not attend the talks, which will take place in Doha. Qatar
Iran’s FM says Qatar 'brought Saudi Arabia to its knees' Iran’s foreign minister slams the Saudi crown prince over his approach to foreign policy in a speech at a top Tehran university. Saudi Arabia
Will Israel accept UAE donations to East Jerusalem? Former Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan appears to have caught Israel by surprise with an announcement of a $70 million donation from the UAE for the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. United Arab Emirates
Qatar hires Trump-linked lobbyist ahead of emir’s visit Doha is turning to well-connected Republican operatives amid an intra-Gulf spat. Saudi Arabia
Egypt struggles to edge Qatar out of Palestine Egypt is trying to block Qatar from the Palestinian scene, but Israel is unlikely to be moved by its efforts, counting on the Qatari assistance that has helped avoid a humanitarian crisis. Qatar
Russia, Qatar explore partnership potential Qatar and Russia both stand to benefit in the Middle East from closer relations: Russia needs Arab street cred and Qatar needs all the friends it can get. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan stays silent on Qatar amid Cyprus gas row Amid an escalating dispute over gas exploration off Cyprus, observers in Turkey are perplexed about why Ankara is sparing Qatar while harshly reacting to other countries and companies cooperating with the Greek Cypriots. Gulf
Pompeo pick pleases Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates officials see a shift at the US State Department in their favor, but are unlikely to see all their hopes realized under Mike Pompeo. Gulf
State Department shake-up leaves Qatar hanging President Trump’s ouster of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson knocks out a leading champion for resolving the monthslong Qatar crisis in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Saudi crown prince comes to Washington Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is coming to Washington to shore up support at a time when the situation at home and in the United States is more complicated than ever. Saudi Arabia
Hamas entangled in regional polarization While Hamas welcomed the recent statements made by Qatari Ambassador Mohammed al-Emadi regarding support for the Gaza Strip, it denounced Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir’s accusation that Hamas is an extremist movement, which shows a new alignment in the region. Saudi Arabia
Qatar claims proposed sanctions on Hamas threaten F-15 sales Qatar lobbyists say the pressure on Doha could jeopardize a $6.2 billion deal signed under President Donald Trump. Qatar
Russia, Qatar move forward on military cooperation The Kremlin tightens its military relationship with Qatar, with Doha finalizing the purchase of S-400 air missile defense systems from Russia. Saudi Arabia
