Egypt fears for Red Sea security as Yemen cease-fire teeters

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Rashad al-Alimi as part of his first foreign tour since his inauguration, amid efforts to consolidate the cease-fire and reach a solution that ends the crisis in the war-torn country.

Egypt

Netanyahu builds next electoral platform on new podcast

With a new podcast and headquarters and renewed enthusiasm, opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu is already campaigning for the next election.

Israel

Turkey struggles with name rebrand

Turkey’s rollout this month of its new official name, Türkiye, is already facing difficulties.

Turkey

Senior Islamic State leader detained in US raid in Syria

A senior IS leader was detained by US-led forces during a pre-dawn raid in northern Syria on Thursday.

Syria

Desperate residents flee Syrian refugee camp as supplies run out

The Syrian regime's siege on the Rukban camp near the Jordanian border has tightened over the past two months, prompting many of the camp’s residents to risk arrest by leaving.

Syria

US, Saudi Arabia broker talks to break Sudan's coup deadlock

Thanks to US and Saudi mediation, Sudan's coup leaders held talks for the first time with the government they deposed last year.

North Africa

Syrian jihadi leader courts Druze community in Idlib

The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, continues to market himself as a moderate leader.

Syria

The Takeaway: Biden, Arab leaders to discuss 'innovative' approaches to regional cooperation at Saudi summit

Also: Israeli tourists leave Turkey over Iran threat; Sadr withdraws from Iraqi parliament; Lebanon’s water crisis impacts electricity; Syria’s wheat shortage; Al-Azhar slams Disney’s gay characters; all in less than 1,400 words.

Legacy: Gulf

Turkey not backing down from threats to block Sweden, Finland from NATO

Following a call with NATO's chief, Erdogan is showing no signs of backing off in the standoff over Sweden and Finland’s bids to join the alliance.

Turkey

Aegean waters heat up as Turkey, Greece exchange barbs over islands

With rhetoric and naval drills heating up in the Aegean Sea, even NATO is calling on the two allies to deescalate recent tensions.

Turkey

PKK threatens journalists, lawmakers in Kurdistan as regional tensions rise

The media and a member of the Kurdistan Region parliament have spoken out against threats and pressure from the PKK, as tensions and drone attacks increase.

Iraq

Egypt ready to begin national dialogue with opposition parties

Egyptian authorities and political parties are putting the final touches on a national dialogue scheduled for early July, despite criticism from some opposition groups.

Egypt