Intel: Turkey talks expanding defense ties with Russia, snubbing NATO Erdogan's boasting about future defense projects with Moscow comes after he failed to get a meeting with President Joe Biden in New York. Russia / Mideast
UAE leader meets Pakistani army head The meeting comes as the Gulf state deals with the recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. News Brief
Iraq to close airports, borders for October election Iraqi authorities have prioritized security in the lead-up to the first election since 2018. News Brief
Qatar to host first Formula 1 Grand Prix in November The Gulf country, which will make its Formula 1 debut in November, also inked a 10-year hosting deal. Qatar
Turkish students continue protests despite arrests, Erdogan’s accusations University students in Turkey continue their protests for access to dorms and affordable rentals, despite police pressure and Erdogan’s denial of a dorm problem. Turkey
Iran's supreme leader issues ban on Samsung, LG appliances Khamenei's directive came after the two South Korean giants were about to make a comeback into their lucrative Iranian market following their brief sanctions-triggered departure. Iran
Erdogan's personalized diplomacy with Putin may have been point of Sochi summit The latest summit between the Turkish and Russian presidents in Sochi may have been more about style than substance. Turkey
EU's top diplomat says Iran nuclear talks to resume 'soon' The European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said he expects a seventh round of negotiations in Vienna would to resume "within an acceptable period of time.” Iran
Israel’s Lapid meets with Bahraini king, inaugurates embassy in Manama On a first historic visit to Manama, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met today with Bahraini King Hamid bin Issa al Khalifa before inaugurating Israel’s embassy to the country. Israel
Iranian military to hold drill over Azerbaijani objections President Ilham Aliyev criticized a planned military exercise close to the Iran-Azerbaijani border. News Brief
Qatar says Taliban rights abuses 'very disappointing' Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani lamented the Taliban's "backward" steps. Qatar
'Futuristic' Dubai Expo to open one year late Delayed by the pandemic, Dubai is ready to take its turn on the world stage with its $6.8 billion showcase expo. Gulf
Iran says Israeli attacks on nuclear sites must stop Iran has suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency's access to its nuclear facilities will resume once Israel's attacks on them stop. Iran
Iraq's top Shiite cleric calls for voting in upcoming elections Top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called upon Iraqis to participate in the elections in large numbers and vote wisely. Iraq
Sudan confiscates Hamas assets Sudanese authorities have seized what they say are Hamas assets in the country, which for years has been considered its main backer. Palestine
Egypt steps up efforts to 'restore Syria's position in the Arab world' Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met his Syrian counterpart during the UN General Assembly meetings in New York last week, the first such meeting since the outbreak of the Syrian war. Egypt
