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
Yemen's African connection Amid the withholding of the details of the Emirati death toll in Yemen, African soldiers are set to step up their role in Operation Restoring Hope. Gulf
Meshaal calls for unity to achieve Palestinian goals Hamas political bureau head Khaled Meshaal proposes renewed efforts to overcome the current Palestinian crises. Qatar
What Obama should say to King Salman during his visit The inaugural visit of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to Washington offers US President Barack Obama a unique opportunity to address the long-standing tensions and rivalry between Iran, Iraq and the GCC states. Gulf
Security Council: Syria 'largest humanitarian crisis in the world' UN, Russia and Iran coordinate new diplomatic effort on Syria; what did Zarif tell Nasrallah?; Egyptian government rejects mediation with Muslim Brotherhood; did US-trained force coordinate with Jabhat al-Nusra? Qatar
Zarif presses diplomacy on Syria Iran brokers humanitarian cease-fires in Syria; Yair Lapid discusses “dreadful gamble” in US-Israel relations; Turkey’s Stone Age temple may predate Stonehenge and Egyptian pyramids by thousands of years. Oman
Lobbying 2015: Qatar crawls in from the cold Qatar is coming in from the cold in Washington as the gas-rich emirate falls into line with its Gulf neighbors’ stance against rebellious Islamist. Qatar
Qatar opens doors to help Palestinians escape 'painful reality' of Gaza Qatar and Palestine have been working together to bring a larger number of Palestinians to work in Qatar, where the market is in need of skilled labor. Qatar
Fight against IS draws Hamas, Egypt closer Relations between Hamas and Egypt, strained since the 2013 ouster of President Mohammed Morsi, appear to be improving with Saudi mediation. Saudi Arabia
How security forces keep critics quiet in 'progressive' UAE The enigmatic UAE security forces have perfected the art of silencing critics and created an environment in which nearly everyone is afraid to say anything remotely resembling criticism of the government. United Arab Emirates
Defense bill could keep sanctions pressure on Iran A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of June 8. Qatar
What are Turkish troops going to do in Qatar? Per a security cooperation agreement between Turkey and Qatar, Turkey will set up a permanent military facility in Qatar. Qatar
The Turkey-Saudi axis against Damascus Will the US support the gains of Islamist opposition in Syria? Saudi Arabia