Ex-Iraqi MP Ahmed Alwani found dead in Lebanon: What to know Ahmed al-Alwani was a prominent leader of anti-government protests by Iraqi Sunnis in 2013, and was released from prison last year. Iraq
Iran unveils new underground 'missile city': What to know Iran has moved much of its missile stockpile underground as the threat of a new war looms. Iran
Turkey bars MP’s wife from travel after his fund scandal criticism: What to know Opposition politicians and rights advocates described Yonca Verdioglu Sik’s brief detention as an attempt to intimidate her husband, opposition lawmaker Ahmet Sik, over his criticism of the government. Turkey
GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate. Saudi Arabia
Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce' By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Deadly church fire prompts wide-scale safety inspections in Egypt After a blaze in a Giza church killed dozens, the Egyptian government says it will systematically review the safety conditions of churches across the country. Egypt
Analysis Turkey’s economic crisis coincides with new diplomatic initiatives Finding solutions: Turkey and the UN are pursuing diplomacy to end Ukraine war while Ankara is considering rapprochement with Syria and mending ties with Israel. By Week in Review
Will Iraq's Sunnis, Kurds support early elections? Iraq’s Sunni and Kurdish forces are closely watching developments between the Sadrist movement and the Coordination Framework, so as to take a political position on whether to dissolve parliament and hold early elections. Iraq
Iran nuclear deal: The devil remains in the details The White House denies any concessions beyond the 2015 deal. Iran
Israel-Turkish reconciliation takes shape Jerusalem seems convinced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan really wants to reestablish good ties between the two countries. Israel
Israel’s Lapid calls on Europe, US to stop talks on final nuclear deal draft with Iran After Tehran submitted its reaction to the European Union’s final nuclear deal draft, Prime Minister Yair Lapid is campaigning against the world powers continuing to negotiate with Iran. Israel
Abbas’ Holocaust remark stirs anger in Israel, Germany Israeli leaders are furious with remarks made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas belittling the Holocaust, and on German soil of all places. Israel
Egypt hopes high rainfall will lessen impact of Ethiopia's third filling of Nile Dam Despite high rainfall rates registered in the Ethiopian plateau, Egypt remains on high alert amid the completion of the third filling of Ethiopia’s controversial Nile dam. Egypt
Tehran urges US to immediately release jailed Iranians Iran's demand came as expectations were growing for a prisoner swap alongside an EU-mediated possible agreement on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Iran
UN, Turkey and Ukraine discuss grain exports, nuclear safety Turkey and Ukraine sign a memorandum of understanding on reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure destroyed by war. Turkey
Turkey grapples with policy change on Syria Ankara's complex ties with Moscow, the political cost of Syrian refugees and looming elections are all dictating dialogue with Damascus on Ankara, but it has yet to come up with a plan to proceed. Turkey
Leaking tankers threaten health, livelihoods along Yemen's coast A series of recent pollution incidents in the port of Aden has brought newfound urgency to addressing the hazardous vessels. Legacy: Gulf