Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday, saying that Tehran had waited too long to reach a deal after the largest direct exchange of fire between the two countries since an April ceasefire. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria says Iraqi oil shipments surge as Damascus courts foreign energy investment Speaking at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday, Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Yousef Qiblawy said Iraq's overland oil exports through Syria have expanded rapidly in recent months. Syria
Explainer Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Israel-Iran escalation grounds flights across parts of Middle East Iran suspended flights across all airports after Israeli strikes hit the country. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran attack on Kuwait airport kills one, halts flights By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel-Hezbollah clashes continue despite Trump truce announcement By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Davutoglu Warns Of 'Ethnic Cleansing' in Syria Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu lectures on Syria as the Kurdistan Workers Party starts to withdraw from Turkey, writes Tulin Daloglu. Syria
Europe and the Politics Of Syrian Oil The EU lifted a ban on the export of Syrian oil from rebel areas and must figure out how to get hold of the oil, much of which lies under destroyed infrastructure and in areas of active fighting, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Kerry Breaks the Ice in Moscow; Russia Sticks to 'Principle' on Syria US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Moscow came in a context of genuine good will, although the US and Russia still differ on the sequencing for a transition in Syria, writes Fyodor Lukyanov. Syria
Palestinian Groups in Gaza Condemn Israeli Strikes on Syria Palestinian factions in Gaza urge Arab states to prevent Israel from taking advantage of the Syrian crisis, reports Mohammed Suliman. Palestine
Jordan, Iran Agree on Need For Political Solution in Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi made a rare visit to Jordan, which showed some shared interest in a peaceful transition in Syria, writes Osama Al Sharif from Jordan. Jordan
UN Humanitarian Chief: Syrian Militias Complicate Aid Delivery Valerie Amos, the United Nations’ chief official for humanitarian matters, says only a political solution can alleviate a growing humanitarian catastrophe in and around Syria. Syria
For Erdogan, Troubles In Syria Just Beginning Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Barack Obama should devise an effective regional strategy for dealing with the crisis in Syria, wrItes Yavuz Baydar. Syria
Erdogan Says Israeli Strikes On Syria Are 'Unacceptable' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has broken his silence on the Israeli airstrikes in Syria, declaring them “unacceptable,” writes Tulin Daloglu. Israel
The Syrian Opposition Also Needs Red Lines UN investigator Carla Del Ponte's disclosure of the possible use of chemical weapons by Syrian rebels should force Turkey to think again about its Syria policy, writes Kadri Gursel. Syria
Iran, Israel Need to Talk About Syria Meir Javedanfar writes that Iran, Hezbollah and Israel share a common and deadly enemy in Jabhat al-Nusra and radical Salafist groups, whose influence is growing. Israel
Iraq's Sunni-Shiite DivideAbout Governance Iraq needs a political solution that recognizes the grievances of Iraq's Sunni populations and regions, Harith Hasan writes. Iraq
Kurdish Group Gaining Autonomy In Northern Syria The Democratic Union Party is investing in autonomous institutions in Syrian Kurdistan while maintaining a relationship with the Syrian regime, Andrea Glioti reports from Qamishli. Syria