Turkey, Armenia agree to restore medieval bridge in normalization push Ankara is pursuing normalization with Armenia ahead of June parliamentary elections in a thaw also positioned to advance its broader Middle Corridor ambitions. Turkey
EU says energy costs tied to Hormuz crisis have surged past $35B Global energy price increases tied to the Hormuz disruption are driving higher import costs in Europe, despite limited reliance on gas flowing through the strait. Iran
Ethiopia rejects Sudan's strike claims, accuses Khartoum of backing Tigray rebels Sudanese officials had earlier accused Ethiopia of involvement in drone strikes on its territory, including one on the country’s largest airport. Sudan
Analysis Israel fears Trump seeking Hormuz win while sidestepping Iran nuclear issue While President Donald Trump keeps pressuring Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel fears the American leader will decide to cut his losses and sideline the nuclear threat. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns US Hormuz mission risks truce as Pentagon says it holds By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria’s Kurds under opposition assault as Erdogan vows to protect Turkey from 'terror' Clashes are intensifying as Turkey-backed forces push up against Kurdish fighters. Syria
Turkey to reopen crossing for returning Syrians as Erdogan hails rebel victory The Turkish president pledges support for reconstruction as the victory by opposition groups bolster efforts to re Turkey
In Lebanon, many hail Assad downfall as Syrian refugees stream home Many Lebanese are celebrating the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria after Lebanon suffered for decades under the Syrian military occupation and its interference in Lebanese politics. Lebanon
Analysis Trump presses for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire following Assad’s downfall The Syria war could also shake up Iraqi politics; Erdogan sees Syria as opening with Trump; Israel not banking on Golani; Assad’s final, desperate hours. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Biden says fall of Syria’s Assad 'moment of historic opportunity' The president said the United States will engage with all Syrian groups to establish a transition away from the Assad regime. Syria
Who controls what in Syria as post-Assad transition begins? President Bashar al-Assad left Syria shortly before rebel forces took the capital, Damascus, leaving various groups in control of different parts of the country. Syria
Biden: US troops to remain in Syria 'to ensure stability' after Assad's fall Washington has vowed to engage with “all Syrian groups," including HTS, and to assist Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Israel if they are threatened from Syrian territory. Syria
Qatar says ‘renewed interest’ in Gaza talks, wants unified Arab stance on Syria Doha, which had earlier suspended mediation efforts, says it supports a viable Palestinian governance model and is formulating a pan-Arab position on Syria that encompasses diverging Gulf views. Qatar
Russia state media says Syria's Assad and his family in Moscow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria after rebels claimed they seized Damascus. Syria
With Assad gone, Turkey urges Syrian opposition to unite, warns against PKK The top Turkish diplomat struck a composed tone following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and called for unity among the Syrian opposition. Turkey
Syrians cheer fall of Assad, region reacts The Syrian rebels have taken Damascus and say they have toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s regime after his family ruled Syria for more than half a century. Syria
Analysis As rebels advance south, how much trouble is Syria's Assad in? Syrian rebel groups have taken Aleppo and Hama and moving south to Homs, inching closer to Damascus in an urgent threat to the Assad regime. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East