Trump says Kamala Harris 'hates' Israel as she calls for end to Gaza war In their first and perhaps only debate, neither Harris nor Trump offered a substantive plan to secure a cease-fire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. Washington Connection
USS Georgia guided missile submarine arrives in Middle East The Georgia's arsenal multiplies the US Navy's precision-strike capabilities near Iranian shores as Israel awaits retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at an IRGC guest house in Tehran last month. United States
US-Turkish dual citizen shot dead in Israeli-occupied West Bank Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was killed while taking part in a march against the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Palestine
Analysis Can US broker Israel-Hezbollah deal in Lebanon absent a Gaza cease-fire? With talks between Israel and Hamas stalled, the Biden administration hopes to delink the Gaza war from the Lebanese border escalation, but the Israeli prime minister may be more focused on the US presidential election. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Philadelphi Corridor: Hamas lifeline or Netanyahu’s cease-fire poison pill? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Families of Americans detained abroad want more US government attention, study finds An analysis of US hostage policy found that efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained abroad are hampered by unclear policies and confusion. Lebanon
Intel: Russia rebuts Trump’s claim that Saudis agreed to oil compromise President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday that Russia and Saudi Arabia agreed to a compromise to end the ongoing oil price war after a discussion between President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Soleimani’s successor visits Iraq, then Trump tweets warning to Iran President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to warn Iran against further attacks on US forces in Iraq — the same day that Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that the new head of the Quds Force had recently visited Baghdad. Iraq
After Trump tweet, Iran warns US about action in Iraq Iranian generals have warned the United States that they will respond if the United States takes action against Iran in Iraq. Iraq
Saudis risk losing last Republican defenders with oil price war The oil price war places the Saudis at risk of losing their previously stalwart defenders on Capitol Hill, the last line of defense against legislation targeting the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump laments oil price war as Saudis lose key defenders in Congress President Donald Trump on Tuesday bemoaned the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has rattled energy markets and exacerbated coronavirus-related layoffs throughout the United States. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi PM-designate may be on futile mission to win Iranian support Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi is on the verge of losing his nomination while simultaneously trying to appease the United States and Iran in his Cabinet formation. Iraq
Can Russia, Saudi Arabia strike new OPEC+ deal with US help? As the OPEC+ deal has expired, Russia and Saudi Arabia remain at odds, though the United States offered encouraging words that production cuts might be negotiated. Saudi Arabia
Putin sees opportunity in Syria's COVID-19 crisis Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the dispatch of medical assistance to help Syria combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, but his real objective is far from altruistic. Syria
Intel: US stands down on Europe’s new trade mechanism with Iran Europe launched its first shipment to Iran today using a mechanism that was originally intended to function as a workaround to US sanctions in a Hail Mary bid to salvage the unraveling Iran nuclear deal. United States
Key Trump ally blasts administration for extending Iran nuclear waivers The Donald Trump administration is casting the renewal of four civil nuclear waivers as “restrictions” on Iran’s nuclear program, but Sen. Ted Cruz argues that they enable Tehran. United States
Europe sends medical aid to Iran using sanctions workaround Iran has received medical equipment from France, Germany and Britain, under a trade mechanism that circumvents the US sanctions on the country, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. United States