Ex-Iraqi MP Ahmed Alwani found dead in Lebanon: What to know Ahmed al-Alwani was a prominent leader of anti-government protests by Iraqi Sunnis in 2013, and was released from prison last year. Iraq
Iran unveils new underground 'missile city': What to know Iran has moved much of its missile stockpile underground as the threat of a new war looms. Iran
Turkey bars MP’s wife from travel after his fund scandal criticism: What to know Opposition politicians and rights advocates described Yonca Verdioglu Sik’s brief detention as an attempt to intimidate her husband, opposition lawmaker Ahmet Sik, over his criticism of the government. Turkey
GCC to build military command center in Kuwait as region simmers: What to know GCC countries have stepped up their joint defense efforts with the announcement of a new forward command center to be headquartered in Kuwait, as tensions between Iran and the US continue to escalate. Saudi Arabia
Hegseth strikes defiant tone, calls House impeachment process 'farce' By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Biden nominees for ambassadors to Iraq, Yemen appear before Senate Steven Fagin, nominee for ambassador to Yemen, faced questions about whether to designate the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization, while Alina Romanowski, nominee for ambassador to Iraq, said she will work with the nation's elected officials. United States
Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad praises Ukraine’s ‘resistance,’ rebukes Islamic Republic’s support for Russia Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has criticized the Iranian government on several occasions since leaving office. Iran
CBS hacked after reporter says Ukraine ‘relatively civilized’ compared to Iraq Western media comparisons of the war in Ukraine to the Middle East have been widely criticized. Iraq
Biden urged to put strings on Tunisia aid amid democratic backslide A letter from some 50 activists, academics and former diplomats calls for the Biden administration to condition certain assistance to Tunisia on steps toward democratic governance. Tunisia
IAEA chief to visit Tehran as nuclear talks near finish line Despite what was reported as complicated, last-minute conditions set by the Iranian side, informal statements by Russian and European negotiators indicated that the talks in Vienna were reaching a conclusion. Iran
Iraqi federal court accused of politicization Iraq's federal court is under scrutiny for seemingly politically influenced decisions on sensitive cases. Iraq
Analysis Ukraine war pits Netanyahu fans, foes against each other Opponents of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blame him for allying himself for years with Russian President Vladimir Putin. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis Israeli president reassures Cyprus over alliance Israeli President Isaac Herzog traveled yesterday to Nicosia, trying to reassure his hosts that recent rapprochement with Ankara won’t come at the expense of the Israeli-Cypriot-Greek alliance. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt may plant 2 million acres of wheat to compensate for Ukraine war Starting with an extra 250,000 acres, Egypt plans to cultivate 2 million more acres of wheat within two years, to ensure food security, especially after the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, from which Egypt imports the majority of its wheat. Egypt
Iraqi students stranded in Ukraine Iraqi students are stuck in Ukraine and seem unable to flee due to the Russian invasion of that country. Iraq
Egypt, Saudi Arabia compete over title of regional art pioneer Egypt’s United Media Services, a production company linked to Egyptian intelligence, decided to contract with veteran Egyptian actor Mohamed Sobhi after his recent clash with Turki al-Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. Egypt
Iran accuses Lindsey Graham of calling for assassination of Iranian scientists The Republican lawmaker told reporters in Jerusalem last month that he would “expect more accidents” to befall Iranian scientists in an apparent reference to alleged Israeli assassinations of the country’s nuclear scientists. Iran