Interview Yemen separatists urge US not to let Saudi Arabia ‘call the shots’ As Houthi fighters steamroll Yemen’s Red Sea coast, the country's southern separatists say an independent South Yemen is the best check on the group’s expansion.
Trump administration approves $24B sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia Trump first announced the planned sale in November 2025, ahead of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. Saudi Arabia
US sanctions Iranian crypto exchange BitBank over Hormuz payments The US government says the exchange was used to channel payments from an Iranian maritime-insurance scheme to the regime. Iran
Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third. Turkey
Iran says IAEA statement won’t produce results Iran has dismissed the IAEA statement about its nuclear program. Iran
Two Lebanese banks held up in one day as customers demand own funds Many Lebanese watchers praised the woman who held up the bank to get her own money as most Lebanese cannot access their funds due to systemic financial mismanagement and corruption. Lebanon
Analysis Democrats push Biden to restrict Egypt’s military aid over rights abuses Egypt’s annual military assistance is shaping up to be another test of the administration’s ability to balance human rights considerations with American strategic interests. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Egypt's journalism crackdown continues despite 'national dialogue' The Egyptian authorities' crackdown on Mada Masr has been criticized by civil society groups. Egypt
Egypt's 'national dialogue' set to finally start next month Five months after its announcement, the national dialogue between the government and the opposition in Egypt is set to start in the coming weeks. Egypt
Terror attacks persist in south Yemen The latest terror attack in Yemen's Abyan province shows that radical groups still threaten the area. Legacy: Gulf
Why Russia’s Vladimir Putin is rooting for Turkey’s Erdogan Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "pro-Russian tilt" has grown louder in recent weeks, as Vladimir Putin clearly looks for Erdogan to stay in power. Turkey
Border conflict breaks out between Armenia, Azerbaijan as Russia distracted by Ukraine Azerbaijan’s close ally Turkey condemns Yerevan for escalation of conflict two years after a cease-fire. Turkey
Iran says individuals held in connection with colonel's killing The announcement was made as Israel and Iran traded more overt threats in their escalating war of words. Iran
US, EU say decision on Iran deal depends on Tehran US and EU officials dismiss claims that an Israeli campaign has influenced negotiations, and say the next move is Iran’s. Iran
Abbas to demand recognition of Palestinian state at UNGA Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly meeting with details of a new initiative defending the two-state solution. Palestine
Ukraine says it shot down Iranian drone in Kharkiv Photos posted online by Kyiv appear to confirm the Pentagon's claim that Iran has delivered armed drones to Russia for use in Ukraine. Russia / Mideast