Hayat Tahrir al-Sham kicks Chechen jihadis out of Idlib After Hayat Tahrir al-Sham told the Chechen jihadi group Jund al-Sham it could either join its ranks or leave Idlib, the group's members evacuated their military positions in the countryside of Latakia. Syria
US says nuclear talks to continue, despite alleged Iran kidnapping plot State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington is "ready to go" ahead with talks, after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the task of renegotiating the deal had been handed over to the next administration. Iran
Republicans in Congress criticize Iran nuclear talks following alleged Iranian kidnap plot Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul says, “President Biden should not enter into any deals with Iran without an end to these assaults on our citizens.” United States
Turkey shrugs off Taliban warning over Kabul airport Flights to evacuate Afghan interpreters will begin by the end of July, the White House said today. Turkey
Has Turkey changed its anti-Islamic State strategy? Although Turkish authorities have increased security operations against Islamic State cells in the country, Ankara’s anti-IS strategy remains riddled with gaping holes. Turkey
Talabani family feud at center of power struggle in Iraqi Kurdistan party The apparent takeover of the Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party by Bafel Talabani is more family affair than policy dispute. Iraq
UAE opens embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv The UAE ambassador to Israel called the Abraham Accords "solid" during the historic ceremony. News Brief
Five years after coup attempt, Turkey to vote on extending emergency powers Turkey's parliament is set to vote on an omnibus bill that includes measures to extend state-of-emergency powers three more years. Turkey
Rouhani says nuclear talks will be handed to successor Iran's president said the next administration will take up the nuclear negotiations. Iran
The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words. Turkey
Who is Masih Alinejad, target of an alleged Iranian kidnapping plot? Prosecutors say the four Iranian defendants plotted to forcibly take the Brooklyn-based author and activist to Iran where her "fate would have been uncertain at best.” Iran
Iran, Syria denounce US 'interference' in Cuba amid unrest Iran is a close ally of Cuba, which is experiencing widespread protests against the communist government. News Brief
Fire at Nasiriyah coronavirus hospital kills more than 90 The fire was the second such tragedy at an Iraqi coronavirus ward in less than three months. News Brief
Idlib authorities begin restoration of historic mosque The government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib is restoring the historic Great Mosque, which was severely damaged by Syrian government shelling. Syria
Israel displaces 11 Palestinian families in Jordan Valley Israel says it demolished homes in a hamlet in the northern Jordan Valley in order to use the area for Israel Defense Forces military drills. Palestine
Qatar attends naval base opening in Egypt A Qatari delegation has attended the inauguration of a naval base on Egypt’s western coast near the Libyan border, in the latest sign of improving ties between Cairo and Doha. Egypt
