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
Yazidis react to killing of Islamic State leader The death of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, who committed war crimes against the Yazidi community in Sinjar and supervised the Sinjar genocide in which thousands of Yazidis were killed, sparked varied reactions among Yazidis. Syria
US Navy turns to sea drones in MidEast The US Navy is turning to unmanned tech to help regional states monitor the waters of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt reacts as Ethiopia switches on first Nile dam turbine Cairo continues to call on Addis Ababa to end its unilateral measures when it comes to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Analysis Israel slams possible Iran nuclear deal without criticizing US Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns of the emerging Vienna agreement on Iran, but observers say Israel has little or no leverage to change it. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
US defense contractor to set up surveillance center in UAE The Tawazun Economic Council signed a term sheet with L3Harris Technologies at a drone and robotics fair in Abu Dhabi. Legacy: Gulf
Raisi says Iran's gas production strong despite US sanctions Iran's president declared that US sanctions have failed to put a brake on his country's lucrative natural gas production. Iran
Sudan moves ahead with Israel ties Tel Aviv continues to exchange visits with the contested authorities in Khartoum and deepen their security cooperation, in line with the coup generals’ allies in the Gulf and Egypt. Egypt
Erdogan calls Russia's recognition of Ukrainian breakaways 'unacceptable' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who cut short his visit to Africa after Russia recognizes two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, expresses support for Zelenskyy’s proposal for summit. Turkey
Israel straddles ties with US, Russia over Ukraine Israel has made it clear that if it is forced to pick sides between the United States and Russia, it will have to pick the Americans. Israel
Egypt’s Copts set to resume trips to Jerusalem after two-year hiatus In light of an Egyptian-Israeli rapprochement, Coptic flights to Jerusalem returned after a two-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
Border crossings and foreign fighters rise after Taliban takeover A recent UN report and other worrying signs point to a likely surge in both an al-Qaeda and Islamic State presence in Afghanistan in the six months since the Taliban has been in power. Iran