Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August Ozgur Ozel’s remarks on a potential new party came as the legal crackdown on the main opposition widened further this week with the arrest and suspension of the mayor of Cankaya, one of the party’s most secure and symbolically important strongholds in the heart of Ankara. Turkey
Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic sites despite its conversion into a mosque. Turkey
Newsletter: Gulf Saudi Arabia’s southern front is back Escalating tensions between Yemen's government and the Houthis threaten to pull Saudi Arabia back into a conflict Riyadh has spent four years trying to keep frozen. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Ahmadinejad denies alleged Mossad plot to install him as Iran leader: What to know The former president, who was a virulent critic of Israel while in office, was reportedly part of a Mossad plan to replace the current Iranian leadership. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis How UK's IRGC designation raises stakes for Iran and Europe By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Who is Cornell University student Patrick Dai, accused of threatening Jews Patrick Dai, whose parents say he suffers from depression, was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Jews at the school in New York state as antisemitic incidents rise amid the Israel-Hamas war. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iran urges sanctions on Israel, says Hamas ready for more 'surprise' attacks Iran's leader censured the West for supporting Israel, while the country's foreign minister warned that more militant "surprise" attacks were in the offing should Israel refuse to halt Gaza bombardments. Iran
Turkey, Iran FMs warn over Israel's expansion of Gaza war, disagree on oil boycott As Turkey and Iran are signaling unity on joint warnings over expansion of the Israel-Hamas war, Tehran’s call for a boycott against Israel has not been echoed in Ankara. Turkey
US deploys B-1B bombers to Turkey for 'long-planned' exercise amid Gaza war The Pentagon's show of force came as Iran's top diplomat visited Ankara amid threats by Tehran and its proxies to pile on Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. Iran
Saudi's GCC-ASEAN summit: Toward an Asia minus China collective strategy The GCC and ASEAN nations find themselves sharing more strategic commonalities amid the current era of deglobalization, geopolitical instability and economic uncertainties. Legacy: Gulf
'Total blindness': Gaza paramedics recount horror during Israel's blackout Gazans recount the 34 hours of internet and communications blackout during intense Israeli bombardment cutting off the enclave from the rest of the world. Palestine
Iran’s FM heads to Turkey as Erdogan slams 'Israel's barbarity' The Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will pay an official visit to Turkey on Wednesday. Turkey
Analysis Israel deepens Gaza incursion, seeks to pressure Hamas leaders Deif, Sinwar The Israeli army is taking its time, choosing a slow-rolling ground operation instead of a massive armory entry. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
West Bank death toll exceeds 120 as US warns Israel over settler violence Over 120 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed amid raids by the Israeli army and settler attacks since Oct. 7. Palestine
Yemen’s Houthis claim attack on Israel as Gaza war rages The Iran-backed forces said the missile and drone attack was a response to “Israeli aggression.” Legacy: Gulf