White House withdraws Rayburn’s nomination for top Mideast policy role Decision raises questions about future role of the State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs Bureau as the Trump administration relies on special envoys to cut through bureaucracy with big promises for a region still reeling from interlinked wars. Syria
Lebanon army chief visits Qatar amid push to disarm Hezbollah Haykal has held meetings with the Qatari army chief, the country’s prime minister and its minister of state for defense affairs. Lebanon
As Syria finalizes candidates for parliament, women make up 14% of list Syria’s parliamentary elections are set for Sunday, when electoral committees will select 140 lawmakers before President Ahmed al-Sharaa appoints the remaining 70. Syria
Saudi Arabia and Qatar pledge $89M for Syrian public sector: What to know The new Syrian government has struggled to pay public workers sufficiently and is implementing a plan aimed at rooting out “ghost employees" who do not show up to work. Syria
Analysis Sudan’s new PM dissolves government but military control remains firm By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Hussein Sheikh as PLO's first vice president: Palestinian reform or Abbas gesture? By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing? By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Coup fears grow as Tunisian president shores up power President Kais Saied is facing a growing wave of opposition from civil society and political actors as he takes new powers and attempts to transform the political system. North Africa
Egypt boots public servants from railways over Brotherhood links Egyptian authorities blame Muslim Brotherhood-linked staff for a series of deadly rail accidents and have moved scores of them from operational roles. Egypt
Syrian jihadist group expands control in areas outside Idlib The government run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib imposed more measures to isolate its areas of influence in northwestern Syria. Syria
Iraq moves to protect state property The Iraqi government launched a campaign to remove encroachments in Iraq, which is more likely to anger political parties and armed groups whose huge influence has allowed their supporters to encroach on state-owned land. Iraq
Former Egyptian PM Kamal al-Ganzouri dies at 88 Ganzouri, who died in a hospital following a "long struggle with illness," twice held the title of prime minister. News Brief
Kuwait’s new government takes charge following latest showdown with parliament A new Cabinet is sworn in to address economic and COVID-related challenges. Kuwait
King’s call to revisit political reforms triggers cautious optimism in Jordan In an interview, King Abdullah focused on the need to launch political and administrative reforms that include reviewing laws that govern elections and political parties, in a move that coincides with the start of the Biden administration. Jordan
Oman moves ahead with overdue reforms Oman's leadership pushes ahead with reforms, cornered by the COVID-19 crisis and long-standing weaknesses in the local economy. Activists call for a constitutional monarchy. Oman
Kuwait's prime minister submits Cabinet's resignation Ministers handed in their resignations Tuesday amid a standoff with parliament. Kuwait
Bahrain appoints crown prince as new prime minister Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will immediately take over as premier, the state news agency reported. Bahrain
Iraqi cleric pushes for elections, new social contract, in support of prime minister Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraqioun parliamentary bloc and Hikma movement, is seeking to chart a nonsectarian alternative to the existing political structure. Iraq
Why can't Iraqis agree on national day holiday? Seventeen years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has neither a national day nor a national anthem. Iraq
