Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanese PM urges Israeli withdrawal in meeting with US envoy Turkey to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition; UAE accuses Iran of attacking ADNOC vessels; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer What would BRICS Bank membership mean for Iran's reeling economy? Iran’s Central Bank governor said the country will soon join the New Development Bank as he traveled to India this week for a meeting of the group’s finance leaders. Iran
Oil spills off Oman, Iran's Qeshm Island reap environmental havoc amid war One oil leak off the coast of Oman is estimated to cover more than 772 square miles, devastating local habitats. Oman
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel moves against West Bank settlers after Huckabee criticism Who benefits from Lebanon’s amnesty law; Turkey's Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi-led defense pact; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanon becomes first Arab country to abolish death penalty By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What Qaani's Baghdad visit reveals about Iran's post-war dilemma By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
US puts off announcing decision on Raqqa until after Turkey referendum The US military wants to work with local forces against the Islamic State in Raqqa, but still is working out many of the details, including who should hold what ground after IS is defeated. Israel
Yemen war turns two Saudi Arabia and the United States need to put more thought into the endgame for the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Why do Iranian banks remain stuck with toxic assets? Will the continued fragile condition of Iranian banks compel the Central Bank to launch a quantitative easing program? Iran
How Turkey-Iran trade deal collapsed in two years Mutual tariff cuts and the lifting of international sanctions on Iran have failed to contain the decline in Turkish-Iranian trade, hit hard by regional rivalry and political tensions between the two neighbors. Turkey
Zarif visits Qatar as Iran, Saudi Arabia continue hajj talks Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Qatar to discuss bilateral relations after a flurry of diplomatic activity recently between Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council member states. Saudi Arabia
Did boycott win Farhadi an Oscar — and Islamic Republic’s embrace? Iranian authorities have clearly welcomed director Asghar Farhadi’s latest Oscar, unlike last time — but what is next for this Academy Award winner? Iran
Why Iran’s auto ambitions will benefit economy, not consumers Iran appears focused on transforming itself into a regional car manufacturing hub in the coming years — but at what price? Iran
Ahmadinejad blamed as US rulings freeze more Iranian assets A new freeze of Iranian assets as a result of US court rulings over terrorist attacks sparks ire in Iran. United States
Gulf countries take back seat on Syria route It seems Saudi Arabia is more interested in Yemen than in Syria these days, which explains dwindling Gulf support for Syrian rebels. Saudi Arabia
Can Congress compromise on bipartisan Iran sanctions law? Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders say they're getting closer to an agreement on non-nuclear sanctions. Congress
Allure of riches draws young Iranians to network marketing Network marketing is growing increasingly popular among young Iranians looking for new ways to make a quick buck. Iran
Iran’s Rouhani moves to form campaign headquarters In a move to perhaps end rumors of his reluctance to run in Iran’s upcoming presidential vote, incumbent Hassan Rouhani has set up a formal campaign headquarters. Iran