Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US strikes render April ceasefire ‘meaningless’ Fresh US strikes and Iranian retaliation deepen regional tensions, while Washington tightens sanctions, France pushes for a larger role in Lebanon, and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Russia in talks on 'reformatting' its military sites in Syria: What to know Moscow signals it wants to maintain its presence in Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently said that Russian bases will be converted into training centers. Syria
Newsletter: Business & Tech Gulf investors eye payday ahead of SpaceX IPO The IPO could leave Saudi investors holding a combined stake worth well over $15 billion in one of the world’s most coveted technology companies. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday, saying that Tehran had waited too long to reach a deal after the largest direct exchange of fire between the two countries since an April ceasefire. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Pro-Hezbollah Sunni Sheikhs Face Assassination Attempts in Lebanon As tensions stemming from the Syrian crisis continue to mount in Lebanon, two pro-Hezbollah Sunni sheikhs become the target of assassination attempts. Lebanon
Europe Stays on Sidelines As Syria Conflict Unfolds Europe keeps to the sidelines while Russia and the United States work on the Syrian conflict, while Syria’s neighbors wait quietly, holding the real leverage over the opposing sides. Syria
The Mideast in Venice Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist. United Arab Emirates
Assad Toys With Erdogan Over Riots Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is losing the high ground in his response to protests. Syria
Gunmen Attack Convoy Of Syrian Cargo Trucks in Iraq Al-Qaeda in Iraq may be behind an attack on four cargo trucks carrying highly flammable material from Iraq to Syria on June 2. Iraq
John Kerry Derails Focus On Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis US Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent statement aligning Syrian rebel interests with Israel’s strategic concerns is a serious flaw. Lebanon
Syrian External Opposition Says No Deal With Assad Syria's external opposition rules out talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while internal opposition forces consider negotiations. Lebanon
Foreign Fighters Key To Decisive Battle of Qusair If there were ever a doubt, the war in Syria is now a war on Syria. Lebanon
Erdogan’s Accusation of CHP Goes Too Far Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan might have crossed a red line by accusing the CHP of being directly responsible in the May 11 Reyhanli blasts that left 52 dead. Syria
The Failure of Israel's Red Line Policy By drawing red lines it cannot keep, Israel is harming its credibility and its deterrence capability. Israel
Geneva II Talks on Syria Still Matter Although the Syrian opposition has refused to deal with Assad, Geneva II still represents the best chance for a diplomatic start to end to the war. Syria
