Middle Orient

‘We are keeping our eyes open, maintaining the routine, while remaining prepared,’ says defense minister at event marking 15 years from Second Lebanon War Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned on Thursday that future military conflicts are likely to involve Israeli ground troops. Speaking at a memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl …

IDF chief blasts American plans to rejoin nuclear deal in meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi that US President Joe Biden has a “commitment to ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” according to …

It was common knowledge that a U.S. failure to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal (known as the JCPOA) before Iran’s June presidential election would help conservative hard-liners to win the election. Indeed, on Saturday, June 19, the conservative Ebrahim Raisi was elected as the new President of Iran. Raisi has …

Turkey’s offer to secure Kabul’s airport might turn into a perilous mission unless it reaches some understanding with the Taliban and secures the critical support of regional actors such as Pakistan and Iran. Turkey is out to drum up support for its offer to take charge of Kabul’s airport after …

With Iranian news outlets speculating about Raisi’s future cabinet, some analysts believe he will form an inclusive government — within limits. Iran’s Interior Ministry announced the official results of the presidential election, cementing President-elect Ebrahim Raisi’s win at over 18 million votes. Raisi received over 60% of the vote in …

If a major centrifuge manufacturing site was hit and substantially damaged, it could severely set back Iran’s program for enriching uranium. Contradictory reports about whether the sabotage succeeded and how the sabotage occurred, or was attempted, leave the situation regarding Wednesday’s incident at the buildings of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization …

Confronting its own claims that it is suffering sabotage, attacks by remote control weapons and now drones, must leave the Iranian regime concerned about its internal security. Iranian sources said on Wednesday that a facility in Karaj was targeted by a quadcopter-style drone. Iran says it shot down the drone. …

It would be foolish for the Biden administration to return to the Iran nuclear deal when it can see the Islamic Republic was able to unwind from the nuclear limitations in a mere matter of months, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has told The Jerusalem Post. Pompeo was …

The meeting between the Turkish and American presidents left key issues unresolved, with cooperation in Afghanistan emerging as the only progress to speak of. Over 10 days have elapsed since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with US President Joe Biden on June 14 on the sidelines of the NATO …

EU leaders propose further funding to Turkey for Syrian refugees, but, at Greece’s insistence, issue a warning that the bloc “condemns any attempt by third countries to instrumentalize migrants for political purposes.” Top European Union leaders agreed in principle June 24 on a new financial package for Turkey for hosting …