Israel’s new foreign minister endorses Trump’s plan, mindful on annexation Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi calls to advance the Trump administration plan, but is careful not to call advancing annexation moves. Palestine
Will Libya cheer up Erdogan? Ill-calculated moves by rebel commander Khalifa Hifter have played into the hands of Turkey and its allies in the Libyan conflict, leading to the fall of a strategic air base in al-Wattiya; however, the situation is still volatile, and it is early to declare a victory. Turkey
Israeli opposition just as fractured as coalition Though the Joint List won 15 Knesset seats in the March elections, the new unity government leaves it on the opposition benches once again. Israel
Egypt steps up crackdown on journalists as world celebrates press freedom As the world celebrated World Press Freedom Day, journalists in Egypt were being subjected to an arrest campaign by Egyptian security forces, while the authorities banned the use of pseudonyms. Egypt
Arab councils in Israel on strike over pandemic, economic crisis Heads of Israeli-Arab local councils say they have no choice but to strike because no one in the government is listening to them. Israel
Pakistan calls for tighter security on Iran border following fatal attack While Iran and Pakistan have made significant progress on improving border security and stopping smugglers, a recent attack on Pakistani soldiers shows that much remains to be done. Iran
Israel’s 'annexation government' sworn in The new Netanyahu-Gantz unity government, which was sworn in May 17, is already facing controversy over Prime Minister Netanyahu's focus on rushing annexation of parts of the West Bank. Israel
Israel counting on European friends to thwart EU sanctions Israeli diplomats are engaging with European Union members considered more friendly to Israel in order to thwart attempts to punish Israel over annexation plans. Palestine
The not-so-sacred profit bonanza of Syria's jihadi groups Economic gains have been at the core of clashes between rebel groups in Syria’s Idlib and Turkish-controlled regions that Syrian rebels describe as “liberated” areas. Syria
Jordan's King Abdullah warns of 'massive conflict' if Israel annexes West Bank The king stopped short of saying he would cancel Jordan's peace treaty with Israel in an interview with German media. Palestine
2 more COVID-19 infections reported on Greek island housing refugees The number of coronavirus cases among migrants on Lesbos rises to four, raising fears of a large outbreak in the Greek island's overcrowded camps. Turkey
In shadow of COVID-19, US-led battle against Islamic State continues A Pentagon report declares the Islamic State a "low-level insurgency" as the United States and Iraq prepare for strategic dialogue. Iraq
Turkey continues to oust Kurdish mayors, replace with trustees Four mayors have been detained in Turkey's Kurdish-majority southeast, the latest in ongoing efforts by the government to suppress Kurdish political participation in the country. Turkey
Intel: Trump’s religious freedom envoy ‘pleased’ with Iran’s release of Bahai’s President Donald Trump’s envoy for international religious freedom welcomed the release of some Baha’i political prisoners by Iran and by Yemen’s Houthi rebels while also noting concerns about Iran's treatment of the religious group. Yemen
Lebanese bank official arrested for alleged currency manipulation Lebanon's central bank denied the allegations; the Lebanese pound's value has decreased significantly amid the ongoing economic crisis. Lebanon
Qatar to dole out $55,000 fines, jail time for not wearing face masks Masks are mandatory for all Qataris who leave their homes, except when driving alone. Qatar
