Turkey, Pakistan among 14 countries backing Saudi Arabia's anti-Houthi Red Sea alliance Riyadh won political backing from 14 countries for its proposed maritime defense coalition, but members have yet to commit to joining as Washington weighs its position. Saudi Arabia
Turkey ready to participate in post-UNIFIL force in Lebanon, Erdogan tells Aoun Aoun paid a one-day visit to Ankara amid Lebanon's push to secure an Israeli withdrawal and end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Turkey
Houthis deny responsibility for drone attack hitting Egypt's Damietta Port The attack is the first on Egyptian territory since the Iran war erupted in February, raising the risk of further widening the Middle East conflict. Egypt
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran kills one in Kuwait, targets Egypt for first time Saudi Arabia to announce Red Sea coalition; Netanyahu-Trump meeting raises questions; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Exclusive Saudi Arabia to announce Red Sea coalition to counter Houthi threats By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba
Newsletter: Gulf Riyadh's Yemen dilemma By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Iran seizes two Greek tankers after US, Greece seize Iranian fuel The tanker wars between the US and Iran appear to be heating up once again as Vienna talks remain on the rocks. Iran
Analysis Biden didn’t go to Turkey, and things aren’t okay with Erdogan The Turkish president announces plans for another invasion of Syria, while digging in on rejecting admitting Sweden and Finland to NATO. By Week in Review
US disturbed by Iraqi law criminalizing Israel ties The State Department said the new Iraqi law promotes “an environment of antisemitism.” Iraq
Turkish women's rights activists decry racism in their name Dozens of Turkey’s grassroots women rights groups issued a statement against racism and anti-immigrant sentiment, only to face angry reaction from many parts of the political spectrum. Turkey
Israeli leadership divided on Iran deal Israel’s top security and intelligence officials can’t agree on whether Israel is better off with or without an Iran nuclear deal. Israel
Israel on high alert ahead of Sunday’s Jerusalem march Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took a final decision that the flag march in Jerusalem’s Old City will take place as decided beforehand, with police at maximum alert across the country. Israel
Syrians reject trench dug by Turkish army near Aleppo The residents of Tadef in the Aleppo countryside are rejecting a military trench being dug by the Turkish army that would cross through their city, calling on changing its course and retaking control of the areas held by the Syrian government forces inside the city. Syria
US lawmakers urge Blinken to press Israel on Masafer Yatta evictions The lawmakers called for the administration to pressure Israel on the evictions before President Joe Biden travels to Israel this summer. Israel
US, Kurdish officials call Turkish threats of military operation in Syria 'serious' Ankara's threats come amid a spat with NATO allies over Finland and Sweden’s request to join the Western alliance. Turkey
AKP municipalities tone down the volume on Kurd-Pop in Turkey Cultural events, from Kurdish-language concerts to performances of daring female stars in mini dresses, become the targets of a proxy war between the nationalist-conservatives and liberals. Turkey
Iran urges UN to condemn colonel's 'terrorist assassination' In a letter, Iran obliquely blamed Israel for the killing, the last in a chain of similar attacks that Tehran has vowed to avenge. Iran
New Islamic State leader reportedly caught in Turkey Islamic State leader Abu Hasan al-Hashemi al-Qurashi has been reportedly arrested in Istanbul, but the news has not yet been independently confirmed. Turkey