Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of US-Iran deal The US president also threatened to "blow up" the Gulf partner in May. Iran
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump threatens to bomb Oman Kushner meets Netanyahu on Gaza plan; Pope calls for end to West Bank violence; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis RSF turns to drones, new fronts as Sudan battlefield pressure grows A wave of RSF drone attacks reflects the group fighting back, but it also points to limited supply lines and difficulty mounting ground offensives beyond its territorial strongholds. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Inside Netanyahu's bet on divided opposition to secure another term Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing better in public opinion polls this week, but he is still far from securing a majority in the upcoming elections. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Why Venezuela is moving closer to Israel but stopping short of full ties By Rina Bassist , Adam Lucente
As Saudi Arabia rallies against Yemen's Houthis, US stays focused on Iran By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey courts Egypt on defense pact By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Lebanon: US senators call for electing president 'accountable to the people' Leading US senators accuse Hezbollah and its allies of orchestrating the political deadlock in Lebanon. Lebanon
Turkey's Erdogan cancels campaign travel after health scare Despite earlier claims that the president's televised health scare was "a mild inconvenience," Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken the day off from active campaigning and will attend a high-profile ceremony at Turkey's new power plant through a video link on Thursday. Turkey
Sudan: Ex-regime members flee prison as another truce is disrupted Several cease-fires have failed to stop the bloodshed in Sudan, with both the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces accusing the other of violating the most recent truce. Sudan
Germany scrambles to stop Iran from executing dual citizen After a top Iranian court upheld the death sentence of dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, German Foreign Minister Annalean Baerbock says Berlin is making every possible effort to stop the execution. Iran
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Turkey’s election in dead heat, Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu tied at 45% An exclusive poll across Turkey showed economy as top issue for voters, followed by corruption and refugees. But many young voters are still undecided in the final stretch of the race. Turkey
Saudi Arabia seizes 12.7 million Captagon pills in pomegranate bust Four people were arrested in a major drug bust, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency, including two Egyptians, one Syrian and one Yemeni national. Legacy: Gulf
Iranian senior cleric Soleimani killed in attack The shooting occurred as anti-clerical sentiments are high in Iran amid the popular protests, but the motive behind the attack is not yet known. Iran
Taliban kill Islamic State official behind Kabul airport bombing The Biden administration has yet to reveal the identity of the alleged ISIS-K "mastermind" behind the August 2021 bombing at Abbey gate. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Second US warship arrives off Port Sudan as pressure builds to evacuate citizens Despite similar efforts undertaken by allies, the Biden administration has yet to order the US military to help evacuate American civilians seeking to flee Sudan. Sudan
Turkey, Syria defense chiefs meet in Russia, discuss ‘normalization' The Moscow meeting was described as “positive” by both sides since Syrian-Turkish rapprochement took off last year. Turkey
Iran blacklists EU, UK officials as it ups armed support for Russia Iran's tit-for-tat measure marked the latest episode in its tensions with Western adversaries and coincided with fresh allegations of its military assistance to Russia in the war against Ukraine. Iran
Turkey detains Kurdish figures ahead of vital polls At least 126 politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists have been detained in an operation that observers call an intimidation tactic before the May 14 elections. Turkey