Analysis US lawmakers warn of Israeli inaction after another American killed in West Bank The deaths of several US citizens at the hands of Israeli troops raise questions over Israel’s willingness to investigate and prosecute its own. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Turkey seeks Interpol Red Notice in Israeli killing of US activist Ankara's chief prosecutor has launched an investigation into the death of US-Turkish activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank. Turkey
George Helmy becomes first Coptic Christian sworn into US Senate Helmy fills the New Jersey seat left vacant after Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted of federal crimes and resigned. United States
In first under Biden, Egypt to receive full military aid tied to human rights For each of the last three years, the administration withheld a portion of Egypt’s military assistance over continued human rights abuses. Egypt
Analysis Can US broker Israel-Hezbollah deal in Lebanon absent a Gaza cease-fire? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Pompeo visit fails to reassure Israel on Syria, Iran The meeting of US secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not reassure Jerusalem over developments in Syria and Iran. Israel
Pentagon turns to irregular tactics to counter Iran The Pentagon is trying to put the finishing touches on a plan to use irregular warfare tactics to temper Iran’s military escalation in the Middle East, Al-Monitor has learned. United States
Is Kurdish dream of autonomy coming to an end? The clouds of doubt over the Kurdish autonomy project in northern Syria have thickened after the Kurds struck a military alliance with Damascus, without getting any assurances on their future political rights. Syria
Congress noncommittal on Turkey sanctions The House and several Republican senators are ready to move on a harsh Turkey sanctions package, but Senate leadership is more cautious. Syria
Anger pushes sanctions in Washington as Pence, Pompeo visit Ankara Following an initial delay, multiple sanctions targeting Turkey are emerging from the White House, Congress and Justice Department as a US delegation visits Ankara to negotiate a cease-fire in Syria. Syria
Trump-connected lobbyist drops Turkish bank after indictment Halkbank had hired Brian Ballard’s firm in 2017. Turkey
Turkey’s military operation turning into diplomatic war As the military front becomes perceptibly static in Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring, the center of gravity shifts to diplomatic front, seemingly catching Ankara underprepared. Syria
Is US redesigning southern flank? Amid Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia, the United States has stepped up military cooperation with Greece, Turkey’s traditional regional rival, heralding shifts in geostrategic balances in the Balkans, the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Syria
Pentagon to stay in Islamic State fight from Iraq The Pentagon expects to fight the Islamic State from Iraq, a senior defense official said today, as American troops are set to leave northern Syria under pressure from a deepening Turkish offensive. Iraq
Putin goes for broke to negotiate Turkey cease-fire US withdrawal created some opportunites for Russia but also had it face new challenges with Turkey. Syria
Erdogan defies international outcry over Syria incursion Turkey has faced a barrage of recrimination for launching a military operation against Syrian Kurdish militants, but its president vows to maintain the “struggle for survival,” even as the death toll mounts and a humanitarian crisis looms. Syria
Majority of Iranians now want to quit nuclear deal A new poll shows that Iranian public support has decreased significantly for the JCPOA, and three-quarters of those polled indicate that they only support restarting negotiations with the United States if sanctions are lifted first. United States