Brian Katulis and Alex Vatanka

Sources tell Al Majalla that Iran was able to build a rapport with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad, but sensed his hands were tied in the presence of Trump's son-in-law and close friend

Both Beijing and Moscow have pragmatic reasons to help Tehran raise the cost of US action. Each sees value in offering limited but meaningful support.

Washington weighs the desire to avoid a protracted war with offsetting the appearance of defeat, as Tehran debates whether to consolidate gains before conditions shift or press perceived advantages

Instead of the "no endless wars" they were promised, Americans were thrown into a disastrous war and were feeling the economic pinch at the gas pump

Israel's parliament approved a draconian death penalty law last week that only applies to Palestinian prisoners, in a move that the UN says "would constitute a war crime"