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
Why Trump's peace plan won't rescue Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might prefer that President Donald Trump’s peace plan be published ahead of the elections, but Blue and White seniors say this won’t become a game changer. Palestine
Will Iraq's Sunnis form semi-autonomous region if US troops leave? Sunni politicians are said to be discussing the formation of a semi-autonomous Sunni region in Iraq following a parliamentary move supporting the expulsion of US troops from the country. Iraq
Why the UAE is paying for America’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai The UAE contribution comes after Expo 2020 Dubai organizers signed a $1 million lobbying contract to promote the world’s fair in the United States. United Arab Emirates
Iran issues warnings after Europe triggers nuclear deal dispute mechanism A European decision to trigger a dispute mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal has been received with defiance, rage and threats in Tehran. United States
Intel: How many US troops do 2020 Democrats want to keep in the Middle East? Democratic presidential hopefuls started Tuesday’s debate by slamming President Donald Trump’s Iran policy and articulating their own vision for the future US force posture in the Middle East. Iraq
Pentagon considering reinforcing missile defenses after Iranian strikes After Iran's Jan. 8 ballistic missile attacks on an Iraqi air base housing US forces, the Pentagon is now challenged with preventing a repeat occurrence. Saudi Arabia
Who gains if Trump publishes peace plan before Israeli election? While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be pushing for the Trump administration to publish its "deal of the century" ahead of the March elections, the candidate who might gain the most from such a situation is Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Palestine
Pentagon doesn’t clarify ‘imminent’ threat to kill Soleimani Statements from the Pentagon throw into question Trump's justification for the US strike on Qasem Soleimani. United States
Intel: Warren threatens Trump with insider trading probe over Soleimani strike Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen urged an insider trading investigation into President Donald Trump for reportedly telling Mar-a-Lago guests about the Soleimani strike in advance, according to a joint letter sent to the chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Monday. United States
Intel: Will US citizen's death result in sanctions on Egypt? Moustafa Kassem, a US citizen detained in Egypt for more than six years, died in prison Monday after a heart attack stemming from his yearlong hunger strike in protest of his incarceration. Egypt
Iran makes arrests in plane crash probe amid public fury Iran's judiciary says arrests have been made in connection with the crash of a Ukrainian plane last week that Tehran blamed on a "human error" by its armed forces. United States
Iran’s next moves depend on US Iran is likely to choose a measured response to US actions, as long as Washington does the same in return, while at the same time trying to increase US costs of staying in the region. United States
