Why Israeli liberals should consider partnering with Netanyahu Ahead of the September elections, Israel's Blue and White Party should seriously consider forming a national unity government under a rotation agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Trump blames Obama for Turkey’s purchase of Russian weapons The US president said his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been treated unfairly over his decision to buy Russian-made missiles that may jeopardize NATO security. But he stopped short of saying they have a deal to spare Turkey economic sanctions once it acquires the antiaircraft system. Turkey
Why did UAE foreign minister go to Russia following his meeting with Pompeo? Russia appreciated that the United Arab Emirates took part in discussions about exercising restraint when it comes to US-Iran tensions. Originals
The Art of the Deal: Trump turns to Putin on Iran ‘A diplomatic way out’; Iran’s patience runs out; Trump has ‘all the time in the world’; Oil for Food 2.0?; Iraq, Afghanistan and prisoners: Steps in the right direction? Iraq
Egyptian activists arrested as Cairo cracks down on critics Egyptian authorities arrested activists and lawyers in predawn raids June 25, claiming the men were part of a Muslim Brotherhood conspiracy to stoke violence against the state. Egypt
Intel: Where candidates came down on Iran in Democratic debates In a debate where foreign policy received very little airtime, Iran disproportionately dominated the national security discussion among Democratic presidential hopefuls this week. U.S.
Bryant Harris talks 2020 candidates' views on US policy towards the Middle East Bryant Harris, Al-Monitor's congressional correspondent and author of the US Elections 2020 project, discusses the democratic candidates Middle East policy views in a webinar recorded on June 28, 2019. Originals
Iran shifts to higher-risk strategy as Trump bears down on pressure campaign After exercising "strategic patience" for a year, Iran has shifted its strategy to one of calibrated escalation on the nuclear, regional and diplomatic fronts to try to secure economic relief, deter US adventurism and better position itself for possible future talks. U.S.
Bahrain conference showcases Israeli ties with Gulf states A significant cornerstone on the way to overt normalization between Israel and the pragmatic Sunni states was laid this week in Bahrain at the US-led economic workshop. Saudi Arabia
Opposition aims to curb Erdogan’s powers after election rout The government’s debacle in local polls in Istanbul and most of Turkey’s other big cities has set the stage for a new power struggle in which the opposition appears bent on trimming Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers. The president, in turn, seeks to debilitate the newly elected opposition mayors. Turkey
Israel still pitching economics, not politics, to Palestinians An Israeli politician has an economic development plan that he says is compatible with the one proposed by the United States, which the Palestinian Authority has already rejected. Palestine
Egypt reacts to Erdogan's murder charge with boycott Egyptians have called for a boycott campaign of Turkish products after the Turkish president accused the Egyptian regime of killing former President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt
Support pours in to save Israeli NGO Physicians for Human Rights Despite the Israeli right's efforts to rein in human rights and anti-occupation groups, the Israeli public gave Physicians for Human Rights twice what it asked for in a last-ditch crowdfunding campaign. Palestine
In Netanyahu's quest for survival, all options on the table Losing the elections in September would likely spell the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political career and possibly his personal freedom, which is driving him to make every effort to cancel the vote. Israel
Iran stops stamping passports To alleviate concerns that a visit to Iran might complicate foreigners being able to enter the United States at a later date, Iran reiterated that it will allow tourists to enter the country through its international airports without having their passports stamped. U.S.
Erdogan confident he can sway Trump to skip sanctions The two presidents will meet at the G-20 summit to discuss a standoff over Turkey’s purchase of a Russian antiaircraft system that obliges the US government to introduce punishing economic sanctions on its NATO partner. Turkey
