Interview Yemen separatists urge US not to let Saudi Arabia ‘call the shots’ As Houthi fighters steamroll Yemen’s Red Sea coast, the country's southern separatists say an independent South Yemen is the best check on the group’s expansion.
Trump administration approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. Saudi Arabia
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third. Turkey
Merav Michaeli wins Israeli Labor primary Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli was victorious in her party’s leadership elections but has a long way to go to the Nov. 1 elections. Israel
Turkey’s Erdogan meets in Tehran with Russian, Iranian leaders The presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran are expected to focus on the peace process in Syria, but the blockade of Ukrainian ports will top the agenda between Ankara and Moscow. Turkey
Can Iran offer Europe strategic relief with its energy potential? Bijan Khajehpour In Vienna, reporting on Iranian politics
Biden issues executive order on hostages amid pressure from families The executive order will authorize government agencies to impose financial and travel sanctions on those involved in the wrongful detention of Americans. United States
Egypt calls on Israel to investigate Egyptian soldiers' mass grave in Jerusalem The discovery of a mass grave for Egyptian soldiers in Jerusalem seems to put relations between Cairo and Tel Aviv to the test, after they have grown steadily in the past few years under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Erdogan woos Turkish youth by canceling interest on student loans The president’s move, first suggested by the opposition, follows protests by thousands of students over the exorbitant interest on student loans. Turkey
Iranian officials say decision is theirs to build bomb Iranian officials state that they can increase enrichment for a nuclear bomb but have chosen not to do so. Iran
Alliance with ultra-Orthodox could make Gantz Israeli premier Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Justice Minister Gideon Saar know that if they want to establish the next government, they must partner with the ultra-Orthodox parties, at whatever cost. Israel
Israel concerned Russia may create obstacles to Jewish emigration Two weeks after a letter to that effect, Jerusalem fears that Moscow is serious in its intention to shut down Jewish Agency activities of helping Jewish immigration to Israel. Israel
As negotiations falter, Ethiopia begins third-stage filling of Nile dam Egyptian reports revealed that Ethiopia has begun the third round of water collection behind Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Syrian government, Russia escalate attacks in Idlib amid looming Turkish operation Syrian and Russian forces are intensifying their bombing campaign in Syria’s Idlib before the tripartite summit between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian leaders in Tehran, further worrying the Syrian factions. Syria
Egypt refers illegal encroachments on Nile to military prosecution The Egyptian government is addressing illegal Nile River dumping or diversions by sending suspects to military courts. Egypt