Archives for June, 2026

Tunisian court sentences prominent journalist Boukrim in absentia to four years

Reuters

Iran, US trade blows as Middle East peace deal draws no nearer

Agence France-Presse

US sea drone rescues crew from US Army helicopter that crashed near Hormuz

Reuters

Trump blames Iran for helicopter attack, says US must respond

Reuters

Analysis

Turkey's probe into pro-secular tycoon goes beyond crude Kurdish joke

Rahmi Koc is under investigation after a widely condemned joke about Kurdish women, but critics say the case reflects deeper tensions over free expression and selective justice in Turkey.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Explainer

Turkey names new envoys to Iran, Oman, Qatar in regional reshuffle

Turkey’s latest ambassadorial changes mark a partial return to career diplomacy in Tehran and the Gulf as Ankara maintains a balancing act amid the Iran war. 

Turkey

UK says new law will crack down on hostile states' proxies from next month

Reuters

Hezbollah calls on Lebanon to 'correct' relations with Iran

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun recently told Iran to stay out of the country’s affairs, drawing a rebuke from Tehran.

Lebanon

In Lebanon's Tyre, Christian quarter emptied out after Israeli warning

Agence France-Presse

What Lebanon army chief’s visit to Pakistan means

Lebanon’s armed forces commander, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, met with his Pakistani counterpart, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during his visit to Pakistan that coincided with ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US despite exchanges of fire.

Lebanon

Breaking | Last Updated: June 9, 2026, 5:51 pm

US military strikes Iran after Apache helicopter downed off Oman

The alleged shoot-down came hours after a US fighter jet fired on a Palau-flagged commercial tanker accused of attempting to outrun the US blockade of Iran.

United States

France bans Israeli minister Smotrich in coordinated sanctions push

Agence France-Presse

UN's Guterres calls for end to violence in Middle East

Reuters

Vance says US and Israel's 'interests diverge' on Iran nuclear issue: What to know

The rare admission by top Trump administration official comes as polling show US alignment with Israel in war against Iran is political baggage among a growing number of Republican voters.

United States

Police crack down on anti-hijab protests in western Afghanistan

Reuters

Explainer

Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway

Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Turkey