Erdogan's nationalist ally supports talks with pro-Kurdish party

MHP leader Devlet Bahceli's decision to back negotiations with the HDP over a constitutional amendment hints at an election strategy for Turkey’s ruling alliance.

Turkey

New Iraqi government moves to block porn sites

Iraq's Ministry of Communication has ordered that pornographic websites be blocked across Iraq.

Iraq

World Cup to bring thousands of Israeli fans to Qatar under new travel deal

Israel and Qatar have no diplomatic relations, but a special visa deal will allow thousands of Israeli soccer fans attend the world tournament.

Israel

Syrian government aligned forces, Islamic State battle in south

Local factions that include former members of the Free Syrian Army are fighting alleged Islamic State members in southern Syria's Daraa with the support of the Syrian government.

Syria

Analysis

The Takeaway: Will Biden push Sisi to free Alaa Abdel-Fattah?

Plus, Netanyahu's election will test US foreign policy toward Israel; Saudi Arabia is still detaining US citizens; and State Department officials visit prison camp for ISIS dependents.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Iran intel chief says UK must 'compensate' for protests

The chief of Iran's Intelligence Ministry said the UK must compensate Iran for creating unrest in the country.

Iran

Airstrikes on Syria-Iraq border target Iranian fuel convoy

Iran blames a deadly unidentified attack on a fuel convoy shortly after it entered Syria on the US, despite official denials.

Iraq

Turkey turns up pressure on allies in Syria

Turkey is using the jihadis’ march into Afrin to push its rebel allies in Syria to reorganize as a coherent, disciplined force. But what happens next if the factions fail to do so by the reported year-end deadline?

Turkey

Turkish government criticized for creating new Alevi cultural agency

Many Alevi associations have objected to the agency's placement with the Culture Ministry, which they say demonstrates the government’s refusal to recognize Alevis as a religious community.

Turkey

Netanyahu pressed on supplying weapons to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu for winning the November elections, but this might not be enough to convince him to supply weapons to Kyiv.

Israel

Israeli environment minister strives for regional cooperation at COP27

Outgoing Minister for Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg calls on the new Israeli government not to give in to small politics, but continue engagement to battling climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing plastic pollution.

Israel

US woman detained in Saudi Arabia released amid guardianship battle

US citizen Carly Morris has been released from a Saudi prison, but says she's still unable to leave the kingdom with her young daughter.

Saudi Arabia