From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list? The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate. Algeria
Analysis Trump dials up risky Iran tariffs that would hit China, UAE and others: What to know Any country trading with Iran now faces a 25% tariff, per the White House, but the move is unlikely to ratchet up pressure on Tehran in the short term. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
From Iraq to Yemen, how Iran proxies are responding to protests Iraqi militias and the Houthis are growing more vocal in their defense of Iran amid the protests sweeping the country, while Hezbollah and Palestinian groups are remaining relatively quiet. Iran
Sharaa tells Iraq's Barzani Kurds integral to Syria amid fears of Aleppo spillover More than 140,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Syrian government and Kurdish forces in Aleppo and the situation has captured the attention of Kurdistan Region and federal government leaders in neighboring Iraq. Iraq
Analysis Venezuelan crisis unlikely to impact MENA crude exporters in short term By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump meets Netanyahu in Florida By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis After Iraq’s election, what are US priorities for next government? By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iraqi war correspondents form committee to fight for rights A group of Iraqi war correspondents formed their own association to defend their rights, which they said were being neglected. Iraq
New Iraqi government will again require Iranian blessing While Iran may not be the winner in Iraq’s election, it will likely remain the final broker. Iraq
Will Sadr’s victory impact Russia-Iraq relations? The pragmatism displayed by Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr indicates that Moscow-Baghdad ties will continue — or even expand — when the new government is formed. Iraq
Mosul’s Fine Arts Faculty picks up pieces in destroyed city Cleaning up burned classrooms and destroyed statues, professors and students have reopened the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Mosul and even launched an art exhibition. Iraq
Iraqi, Syrian forces work together to secure border The Iraqi army is coordinating with its Syrian counterpart to secure the border between the two countries and to prevent terrorist elements from moving between the two countries. Iraq
As Iraqi elections end, power play begins for prime minister The Islamic Dawa party, which has held sway over Iraq's government for a dozen years, could lose its power to select the prime minister unless it can resolve major differences between its inner rivals and unify the party. Iraq
Iraq's Sadr sends positive sign to both the US and Iran In an attempt to prevent the United States and Iran from objecting to his move toward forming the new Iraqi government, Sadr sends positive messages to both, stating that he will not stand against them. Iraq
Iraq's Sunni lists approach coalition as one bloc The main Sunni lists that won seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections are negotiating to form one Sunni alliance in order to participate in the formation of the new government. Iraq
Many Iraqi legislators call for canceling election results Complaints about irregularities in Iraq's May 12 parliamentary elections, worries about the country's electronic vote counting and the agony of defeat have caused many parliamentarians to request that the results be canceled. Iraq
Sunnis, Kurds court Sadr as new Iraqi government takes shape As negotiations to form Iraq's next government kick into high gear, Sunni and Kurdish leaders are streaming to the house of triumphant Muqtada al-Sadr. Iraq
Congress rebels against Trump’s Middle East war secrecy Fed up with increased restrictions on information and less on-the-ground access, some Democrats are seeking more transparency regarding the Donald Trump administration’s military operations throughout the region. Kuwait
Iraq elections: Will Sadr seek a new beginning with Turkey? Ankara is welcoming Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s stand against foreign intervention and military presence — as long as it doesn't apply to Turkey. Iraq