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
Will Iran’s Guardian Council disqualify Rouhani from running? With Iran's presidential election three months away, tongues are openly wagging about the Guardian Council's potentially disqualifying President Hassan Rouhani from running for re-election, and the Priniciplists suspect a ploy to portray him as a victim. Iran
Iranian MPs move to hand control over bond market to Central Bank Iran’s moderate-leaning parliament appears to be pushing for control over the lucrative bond market to be given to the central bank. Iran
Iran's Rouhani warns military not to intervene in elections Just three months before Iran’s presidential election and with conservative figures announcing their candidacy, President Hassan Rouhani warned military institutions against interfering in the vote. Iran
Despite tough talk, US unlikely to take on Iranian forces in Iraq The new US administration has adopted strict stances toward Iran, but any military clash between the United States and the factions Iran supports in Iraq would only increase Iranian influence. Iraq
Iran pulls Palestine from the margins The Iranian leadership turns out in force for Palestinian conference; Turkey’s victory in al-Bab may be a prelude to a showdown with the Syrian Kurds. Palestine
Why Iran wants Palestine back on regional agenda Iran hosts a conference in support of the Palestinian intifada as it seeks to put the Palestinian cause back at the top of its regional agenda. Saudi Arabia
Is Iran-Turkey tension intentional? Turkey, while seeking to access Gulf funds and boost its defense industry exports, has risked economic relations with Iran — but the risk could also hold opportunity. Turkey
Shiite political differences widen gap between Najaf, Qom The political differences between Qom and Najaf clerics indicate a sharp conflict between the two schools after Ali al-Sistani, whose death will create a broad vacuum in the Shiite scene. Iraq
Has Hamas completely forgotten Saudi Arabia? The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as Hamas’ head in the Gaza Strip undermines the rapprochement between the movement and Saudi Arabia, while drawing Iran closer to the Palestinian resistance. Saudi Arabia
Will this woman become Iran’s first female president? In a remarkable twist, Iranian Reformists appear to eagerly welcome the potential candidacy of female Principlist Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi in the upcoming presidential elections. Iran
Was Obama lost opportunity for Iran-US relations? Iran’s foreign minister believes that recent criticism by Iran’s neighbors stems from their regional failures. Saudi Arabia
Food vs. guns: Will Hamas chose Egypt or Iran? The military wing of Hamas in Gaza pressures the new boss Yahya Sinwar to mend ties with Iran, while the residents of the Gaza Strip need the assistance of Egypt against the misery of the long closure. Palestine