Newsletter: Turkey Erdogan’s new rival The week’s biggest bombshell came from Ozgur Ozel, the ousted opposition CHP leader, who said he will probably form a new party. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Yemen's Houthis raise Red Sea stakes for Trump With President Donald Trump ratcheting up his threats, will Iran play its Houthi card? Iran
Analysis Trump's ‘180-degree reversal’ on Lebanon, Syria leaves Netanyahu with few options before elections Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes an Israeli withdrawal from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon will help ease tensions with President Donald Trump. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran strike damages Kuwait power, desalination plant: What to know Kuwait, the world’s most water-stressed country, urged residents to reduce electricity and water use following the attack. Kuwait
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US extends Iran strikes to bridges, airport By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump taps Russia-born investor to oversee $200M+ fund backing Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor United States
Islamic State attack in Raqqa kills 10 Syrian soldiers, second in a week IS militants attacked several positions and checkpoints of the Syrian government and allied fighters in the group’s former stronghold of Raqqa. Syria
UK sanctions entities in Turkey, UAE, Iran for alleged role in Ukraine war It is not the first time Britain has sanctioned companies from these countries for their alleged role in the 18-month-old conflict. Turkey
Analysis Israel's extremist settlers control government as Netanyahu dismisses warnings The latest fatal incident in the West Bank town of Burqa shows that settlers now have the upper hand in the Netanyahu government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why is US sending 3,000 Navy, Marines force to Persian Gulf? The Pentagon has not yet specified the Marines' role in deterring Iran from interfering with commercial shipping and threatening neighboring Arab states. Iran
In first foreign policy speech, Turkey's FM asks NATO to be 'considerate,' slams PKK Laying out Turkey's foreign policy priorities, Hakan Fidan set forth a national security-oriented agenda, striking a more hawkish tone on the Kurdistan Workers Party while softening his language on regional ties. Turkey
Ukraine sanctions Israeli-Georgian billionaire accused of backing Russia Israeli press reported today that Israeli-Georgian businessman Mikhael Mirilashvili, considered close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was blacklisted by Ukraine several months ago. Israel
Saudi Arabia agrees to produce Turkey’s Baykar drones Riyadh wants to boost its military might, especially with the prospect of its main rival Iran developing its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s foreign minister meets Japanese counterpart in rare Tokyo trip Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Japan comes amid mounting tensions in the region over Iran’s nuclear activities and attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. Iran
Israel to include Gaza Americans in US visa waiver trial After agreeing to facilitate the passage of American-Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel has agreed to similar conditions for those residing in Gaza. Israel
Israeli settler kills Palestinian in Burqa, seven arrested After arresting two settlers over the fatal incident at the West Bank town of Burqa, where a young Palestinian was killed, police have detained five Palestinians on suspicion of riots and attacks. Israel
China 'participated actively’ in Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia Pro-Kyiv Western countries had failed to secure China’s presence at previous Ukraine peace talks. Saudi Arabia
Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings? Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. Legacy: Gulf