Feature Former Assad mouthpiece Al-Thawra to test limits of Syria's new rulers Despite the fall of Assad, Al-Thawra struggles to shed its propaganda legacy, as new editor Nour al-Din al-Ismail works to professionalize the state-owned paper amid a culture of fear and entrenched habits. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Who is Mark Savaya, Chaldean-American businessman named Trump’s Iraq envoy? Mark Savaya supported Trump in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections and was credited by the president with helping to secure votes in the battleground state of Michigan. Iraq
Russia, Iran to boost ties in ‘all areas’ as Tehran claims nuclear restrictions expired The cooperation pledges follow the weekend's joint letter from Russia, Iran and China to the UN, disputing the validity of reimposing sanctions on Iran. Iran
Bahrain joins Gulf’s late movers in the solar race with 150 MW project If completed on schedule, the Bilaj Al Jazayer solar plant would more than double the kingdom’s total installed renewable capacity, which stood at just 69 MW in 2024. Bahrain
Leaked video shows Khamenei aide's daughter in Western wedding gown amid Iran's hijab crackdown Senior Iranian official Ali Shamkhani faced criticism online after video surfaced of his daughter’s extravagant wedding. Iran
Syria finance chief meets US, World Bank officials as Trump admin pushes more sanction relief Less than two weeks ago, the US Senate approved a measure to repeal the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act sanctions on Syria as part of its 2026 defense budget. Syria
Witkoff, Kushner in Israel to salvage Gaza ceasefire after series of flare-ups The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to maintain the ceasefire with Hamas and begin implementing the second phase of the US president's Gaza peace plan. Israel
Iraq to keep some US military advisers despite troop pivot to Kurdistan region Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said some 300 US military advisers would remain at a key base in the country's Anbar province to keep eyes-on ISIS activities in the Anbar desert and prevent the jihadist group's resurgence in the Euphrates River valley. Iraq
Erdogan heads to Gulf as Turkey looks to ease energy dependence on Russia The Turkish president will visit Kuwait, Oman and Qatar to strengthen economic ties, boost regional diplomacy and sign a series of agreements. Turkey
Egypt overtakes Kuwait as MENA’s biggest LNG importer: What to know Last year, the North African country shifted from being a net exporter to a net importer of LNG, due to soaring demand and production declines. Egypt
