Syrian army says it finished combing through Aleppo neighbourhood, signalling takeover from Kurdish forces Reuters
As Iran protests swell, Trump's messages mixed on US intervention President Trump attributed the scores of protester deaths to stampedes, even as videos show Iranian security forces are firing on protesters. Iran
Fear or force? How regime in Iran plans to confront swelling protests Iran's leadership is projecting defiance in the face of fast-spreading protests and US warnings. But behind the scenes, the cost-benefit calculus of repression appears more fraught than in past crises. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Exclusive Closed-door breakdown in Syria-Kurdish talks foreshadowed Aleppo clashes The collapse of US-brokered Syria-Kurdish talks preceded the Aleppo violence as Ankara continued to press Damascus on the Syrian Democratic Forces' future. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran: What's fueling wave of protests and what comes next? Protests that began over economic conditions have increasingly taken on a political tone reminiscent of earlier nationwide movements in Iran. Iran
Lebanon revives offshore gas push with new approval for Total-led consortium Beirut has approved a new exploration permit allowing international energy companies to begin work on an offshore block bordering Israel’s maritime border. Lebanon
Analysis Amid Saudi-UAE rivalry, Turkey courts Riyadh without crossing Abu Dhabi Turkey is moving closer to Saudi Arabia on key regional security files from Yemen to Gaza, while carefully avoiding a rupture with the United Arab Emirates. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
