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
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. United States
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
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
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
PMU factions reluctant to target US interests in Iraq directly Following the assassinations of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Shiite armed factions are reluctant to engage in direct war with the United States due to the lack of military balance between them and their fear of US reactions. Iraq
When will Europe propose genuine peace plan for Israel, Palestinians? If the European Union wants to stay relevant in the Middle East, it must make up its mind over the Trump administration's peace plan and advance with an alternative, viable proposal. Palestine
Intel: Morocco played up Iran rhetoric as it eyed US-Israel deal on Western Sahara Israel, Morocco and the United States have been pursuing back channel negotiations on the disputed Western Sahara for more than a year. Israel
Israel's Gantz choosing wrong battles against Netanyahu Blue and White leader Benny Gantz should continue focusing his campaign on the charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, instead of falling into the trap of a diplomatic battle. Palestine
Netanyahu’s Africa blitz includes photo ops, pleasing US Israeli diplomats fear that the drive for cooperation projects with African countries is being replaced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s desire for photo-ops and by hints that relations with Jerusalem would open the door to Washington. Israel
A united response to Trump’s Mideast deal in a divided Yemen Yemen’s Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government have both rejected the US Middle East peace plan. Yemen
What brought Iranian forces to Idlib front? A number of developments, including Turkey's greater involvement in Syria and the US assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, may be driving Iran's move to get more involved in Idlib battlefield operations. Syria
Intel: Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee to attend Trump’s State of the Union address Jamal Khashoggi’s widow will be watching President Donald Trump as he discusses his record in the Middle East at his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday. United States
Iran's Zarif says Swiss humanitarian channel 'small step' Iran has welcomed the new channel with Switzerland, which will allow the delivery of medicine. But it expects more from Europe in fulfilling its end of the nuclear deal. United States
US peace plan may unwittingly unite Palestinians against it Rival Palestinian factions are expected to meet again soon to seek reconciliation so they can make a united stand against the United States' "deal of the century." Palestine
Can the EU resuscitate the two-state solution? The Palestinian leadership is pressuring the European Union to take stronger stances against Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories after President Donald Trump revealed his 'deal of the century,' which threatens a two-state solution. Palestine
Trump’s Mideast peace plan puts heat on Biden, Buttigieg ahead of Iowa caucuses Pro-Palestinian activists are urging Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg to push for a cut Israeli military aid in the crucial days before the Iowa caucuses. Palestine
