Venezuelan president, top Russian diplomat overlap in Turkey

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro were in Ankara on the same day.

Turkey

After IAEA criticizes Iran, Israeli prime minister meets with Emirati leader

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a quick visit to the Emirates, where he met privately with Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

Israel

Liberia, Suriname pledge to open offices in Jerusalem

The announcements come as Israel seeks to reinforce and expand its relationships in Africa.

Israel

Egypt treads cautiously with reelected Somali president

Cairo has little to say about the return of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as Somalia’s president, keeping an eye on the Horn of Africa amid Turkey’s growing influence in the region and the stalled negotiations on Ethiopia’s controversial Nile dam.

Egypt

Venezuela’s Maduro receives warm welcome in Turkey

Turkey and Venezuela have good relations, much to the chagrin of the United States.

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Drone blast near US consulate in Erbil injures three

No US-led coalition facilities were hit in the latest attack, an official told Al-Monitor.

Iraqi-Kurdistan

US officials say Turkey ‘well aware’ of their concerns over Syria offensive

Syria

Iran moves on from India's Prophet Muhammad controversy

Iranian diplomats have praised India’s response to members of its ruling Bharatiya Janata Party who insulted Islam.

Iran

Analysis

The Takeaway: Mideast economies face ‘predominantly downside’ prospects due to Ukraine war

Former Kurdish fighter helps Swedish PM survive confidence vote;  Israel pushes Iran shadow war further into shadows; Gulf remittances are lifeline for Sudan; Israel expands trade, business dealings in Gulf;  questions over missing lower half of ‘half mummy.’  

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

No sanctions assurances offered on Lebanon energy plan: State official

Syria

Russia remains committed to Syria’s Assad despite Ukraine war, Pentagon says

Reports that Moscow has been readying tens of thousands of Syrians to fight in Europe are "disinformation," senior US defense official tells Congress.

Syria

Iraqi parliament passes urgent food security bill

The Iraqi judiciary had blocked a previous version of the legislation, which empowers the government to address rising food prices and shortages resulting from the Ukraine war.

Iraq