Newsletter: Daily Briefing Araghchi warns Israel as US, Iran hold technical talks in Doha Syria unveils its transitional parliament appointees; Kuwait’s Zain plans a major telecom investment in postwar Syria; and North Africa’s World Cup teams make history. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Who is Melat Kiros, the pro-Palestinian who unseated a longtime Democrat? Kiros has taken a hard stance against Israel and opposes all aid to the country as pro-Palestinian candidates make further inroads in the party. United States
Explainer Saudi FM concludes China visit amid Trump-MBS friction: What to know Saudi Arabia is still absorbing the war’s security fallout and is widening its circle by leaning more on Beijing as a diplomatic counterweight to Washington and as a partner that can engage Tehran. China
Newsletter: China-Middle East Saudi FM goes to China amid Trump-MBS friction By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
Analysis For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar says no direct Iran-US talks in Doha By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
State Department official: There are ‘technical solutions’ to Nile River dam issue At a House hearing on Tuesday, a Republican congressman made an impassioned plea to consider Egypt’s water security regarding Ethiopia’s megadam on the Nile River. United States
Blinken calls Syrian humanitarian situation 'untenable' At a meeting of the members of the US D-ISIS coalition in Rome, the US secretary of state makes appeal for "stabilization." Syria
Intel: Blinken urges allies to repatriate IS fighters from Syria The Syrian Democratic Forces are holding an estimated 10,000 suspected Islamic State fighters, a situation Secretary of State Antony Blinken said is "untenable." Syria
US airstrikes hit Iran-backed militia after drone attacks in Iraq CENTCOM is trying to deter militia attacks without starting a war. Iran
US-made drones downed over Yemen weren't military's, CENTCOM says The Houthis said they wrecked two US drones over Yemen's contested Marib province. Yemen
US hopeful but 'realistic' on departure of foreign forces from Libya Joey Hood, the acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, also said the United States expects the elections scheduled for December to take place. Libya
Congress discusses 'strategic opportunity' for US vaccines in MidEast The House Foreign Affairs Committee's hearing Wednesday focused in part on the reputation of American COVID-19 vaccines in the Middle East versus Russian and Chinese ones. News Brief
US lawmakers unveil American hostage task force Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) announced the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, a bipartisan working group aimed at helping the families of detained US citizens. United States
Biden urged to secure release of Americans left behind in Iran Amid intensifying speculation over a prisoner exchange between the United States and Iran, the family of Siamak and Baquer Namazi is appealing to President Joe Biden to secure their release. Iran
Biden discusses imperiled Syrian aid at high-stakes Putin summit The two leaders met ahead of a looming UN Security Council deadline to renew a massive cross-border aid operation that Russia is intent on shutting down. Syria
House Republicans cite 2015 law mandating congressional review of any Iran nuclear deal Republicans say the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act requires the president submit any deal on Iran's nuclear program to Congress for review. This could complicate the Biden administration's efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal. United States