Analysis Iran’s delayed retaliation against Israel tests Pentagon’s global strategy Uncertainty about an Iranian attack could put Pentagon planners in a bind, as they seek to keep high-maintenance US aircraft carriers and fighter squadrons on nimble rotation schedules and out of lengthy Middle East engagements. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Hundreds of Israeli pilgrims pray at Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus Joseph's Tomb in Nablus has often been the site of violent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis. Israel
What PA's Abbas hopes to gain from Russia’s Putin following Moscow visit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ three-day visit to Moscow this week aimed to shore up Russian support for the Palestinian cause at the United Nations and in post-war international forums. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Gaza cease-fire talks begin in Doha without Hamas Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari representatives are meeting Thursday for another push to finalize a deal to halt the Hamas-Israel war. Israel
Putin hosts Abbas as Russia looks for role in ending Gaza war Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held talks in Moscow on first such visit for the Palestinian leader since 2021. Palestine
US says Iran’s attack on Israel 'could be this week' With the timing of Iran's attack unclear, the White House says it's preparing for a "significant set of attacks." Israel
UK, France, Germany leaders urge restart of Gaza cease-fire talks as Hamas reconsiders European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Monday for the truce talks to resume, after the mediators did last week. Palestine
Analysis With its ally Haniyeh gone, how will Turkey approach Sinwar-led Hamas? Hamas’ new political chief, Yahya Sinwar, is seen as hard-line and pro-Iran, which unsettles Turkey, but he is unlikely to turn the armed Palestinian group into a mere instrument of Tehran. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis What an Iran-Israel escalation could mean for Pakistan Though Pakistan has no diplomatic ties with Israel, peace remains tenuous on the Iran-Pakistan border; still, popular support in Pakistan remains with Tehran, and any situation in Iran has to be handled delicately by Islamabad. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Iran defiant as world powers work to avert retaliation against Israel Unlike in April when Tehran telegraphed its attack in advance, Iran has this time kept details of its expected attack against Israel close to its chest. Iran
Qatar's emir visits Turkey amid push for de-escalation, Gaza talks The Qatari emir's visit to Turkey comes as regional countries are ramping up efforts to prevent a broader conflict in the region after the Hamas political chief’s killing. Turkey
Netanyahu says arms smuggling from Egypt's Sinai, not Qatar, fueled Hamas Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Time magazine that his approval of Qatari financial assistance to Hamas over the years was not the reason the group became powerful enough to attack Israel. Israel
Iran says cease-fire in Gaza 'priority' as US sees deal 'closer than ever' Iran's statement on a cease-fire comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to reach a deal that could avert Iranian retaliation against Israel and a potential regional war. Iran
As Egypt tells airlines to avoid Iran, region braces for attack on Israel Iran is expected to strike Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, prompting flight suspensions and safety notices for Iranian airspace. Iran
Turkey applies to join ICJ genocide case against Israel with a caveat Turkey’s submission didn’t include a written commitment to accept the judgment as binding, which experts link to Ankara’s efforts to prevent the recognition of the mass killing and deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as genocide. Turkey
US says cease-fire talks in 'final stage' as Hamas taps Sinwar to be new leader The nomination of Gaza Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as head of the organization's political bureau does not mean that the door of cease-fire and hostage release negotiations is closed. Israel