Middle Orient

The Biden administration has decided it will not renew a waiver that allowed a politically connected U.S. oil company to operate in northeast Syria under President Donald Trump’s pledge to “keep the oil” produced in the region, according to a U.S. official familiar with the decision. Treasury Department rules prohibit …

Usually, Argaman would give such warnings privately to the political echelon who would decide how to notify the public. Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Director Nadav Argaman issued a rare public warning on Saturday sounding alarm bells that the current atmosphere of incitement could lead to tragic bloodshed in Israel. …

It’s strange that Argaman and Hamburger released warnings just as, on the eve of Rabin’s assassination, Shin Bet head Karmi Gilon and the same psychologist released quieter warnings that didn’t work. The Shin Bet chief’s announcement regarding the need to lower the flames and incitement on social media, and his …

Israeli F-35 stealth fighter jets are taking part in a large-scale drill in Italy, marking the first time that the fifth generation plane has been deployed outside of Israel for drills. The IAF jets that took off from Israel on Thursday, will participate in the two-week-long Falcon Strike 2021 drill …

The coalition formed by Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid and Yamina head and Prime Minister-elect Naftali Bennett is expected to swear in on Wednesday. Here is the full plan: Sunday or Monday Yamina MK Nir Orbach to announce whether he will vote for the government, or quit his Knesset seat. …

In recent months, Turkey has increased its presence in northern Iraq. It has been accused of deforestation and depopulation of villages, including minority Christian villages. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed concern on Saturday over Turkey’s airstrikes on a refugee camp in Iraq. It is the latest Turkish …

Previous disappointment will lead Iran to expect greater economic certainty in any renewed nuclear negotiations. London must play its part. The Iranian nuclear deal (formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the JCPOA) has been in tatters since the administration of Donald Trump withdrew in May 2018, …

The recent push by a number of Arab states to normalize relations with the Assad regime is based on the false premise that the war is over and it is necessary to restore ties to lobby Damascus to change its relationship with Iran. Other regional dynamics are also a factor: …

There is only one thread holding together the unprecedentedly disparate parties that will establish and support the nascent Israeli government announced on the night of June 2, an hour before the midnight deadline. That thread is, of course, a shared loathing for Benjamin (“Bibi”) Netanyahu, who has served an unprece­dented …

Non-state actors that enjoy state-sponsored assistance in developing drone capabilities are a major concern for the international community. A range of non-state actors has used drones in combat, including ISIS, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, Hamas, Boko Haram, and the Afghan Taliban, among others. Echoing a commonly growing sentiment, the U.S. military …