Iran attacks cargo ship off Oman, testing Trump’s Hormuz Strait deal The first Iranian attack on a cargo vessel since the ceasefire comes as top US diplomat Marco Rubio huddled with Gulf Cooperation Council ministers in Manama to reject Iran's claims to control the Strait of Hormuz. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Newsletter: Gulf The UAE’s India bet is getting bigger As Gulf states emerge from months of conflict with Iran, their search for new security partners is increasingly extending beyond traditional Western suppliers. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Trump hints at F-35 breakthrough with Turkey ahead of NATO summit The administration is moving ahead with planned jet engine sales to Ankara ahead of next month’s NATO summit despite congressionally mandated sanctions on Turkey's defense industry. Turkey
Israel, Turkey, Iran offer aid as Venezuela’s 2 quakes kill at least 188 Iran, Turkey and Israel were among the first countries to offer assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela despite their varying diplomatic relationships with Caracas. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Rubio courts GCC support on Iran deal as UAE warns over Hormuz By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Biden to meet with Saudi crown prince in July visit The president is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah following a visit to Israel and the West Bank, a senior administration official said. Legacy: Gulf
New Egyptian regional news channel hampered by lack of funds Funding reasons have halted the Egyptian project to launch an international and regional news channel to promote Egypt's role in the Arab world. Egypt
Sisi lauds Egyptian water conservation programs as Nile dam progresses Ethiopia plans to proceed with the third-stage filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in the coming weeks. Egypt
Sadr withdrawal from Iraqi parliament challenges Shiite rivals Populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew his party members from Iraq's Council of Representatives, introducing a new level of uncertainty into Iraqi politics. Iraq
Ghosts of Gezi protests still haunt Erdogan The timing of President Erdogan’s recent outbursts targeting the 2013 Gezi protests hints that the protests will play a central role in his campaigning ahead of the June 2023 elections. Turkey
Iranian IRGC officers 'martyred' amid simmering tensions with Israel The deaths followed the assassination three weeks ago of an IRGC colonel, which Tehran has blamed on Israel. Iran
Israel's Arab Knesset members fight bill restricting Palestinian flag Israel’s Knesset is considering a bill banning Palestinian flags from being raised at Israeli-funded institutions and universities inside the Green Line. Palestine
Israel calls on nationals to leave Turkey over Iranian terror threat After the uncovering of an Iranian plot to target Israelis in Turkey, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called on Israeli nationals to leave the country immediately. Israel
Tunisian president targets judiciary, dismisses dozens of judges Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed 57 judges, accusing them of obstructing investigations into terrorism cases and committing financial and moral corruption. Tunisia
Can community policing in Gaza replace tribal judiciary? The Gaza-based interior minister has formed the community police unit to solve disputes among individuals and families in a bid to ease the process in regular courts. Palestine
As Lebanon’s electricity crisis deepens, water becomes scarcer Despite its natural water resources, Lebanon has reached a crisis point, with many residents unable to afford clean water. Lebanon
Iraqi-KRG counterterrorism cooperation increases in response to attacks Joint operations between Iraqi Counterterrorism Services and their counterparts in some areas of the Kurdistan Region continue to target Islamic State cells, while other armed groups attack Erbil. Iraq