Newsletter: Turkey Turkey's Mecca Pact strategy By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Tunisia’s water, power crisis fuels growing protests against Saied: What to know A utility crisis is giving momentum to opposition forces challenging Saied’s grip on power. Tunisia
Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm. Iraq
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them Israeli officials remain skeptical of Turkish and Syrian denials over Ankara’s military ambitions in Syria, warning that a deeper Turkish foothold could threaten Israel’s security and strain its ties with Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctions By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Bipartisan lawmakers pressure Biden over Iran nuclear deal House members opposed to the emerging nuclear deal with Iran are requesting the administration provide them with the full text of any proposed agreement. Iran
Amid increasing tensions between militias, Muqtada al-Sadr calls for reforming the PMU Rival Shiite armed factions took their fight to Iraq’s key port city as leaders officially called for calm and closed offices. Iraq
Tehran FM demands 'more robust' US guarantees for nuclear deal Iranian news outlets are emphasizing the uncertainties facing the nuclear deal as the country's top diplomat said more guarantees were still needed from the United States for the accord's revival. Iran
Erdogan calls Turkey’s teachers 'looters' amid protests, calls for exam boycott Turkey's president has called protesting teachers "looters," a derogative reminiscent of the 2013 Gezi protests. Turkey
Israel holds out little hope of Europe stopping Iran nuclear deal Israel is worried after French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated today what EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said earlier this week, that a deal with Iran could take place in a matter of days. Israel
Analysis The Takeaway: Uneasy calm returns to Iraq but deep divisions remain Israel’s top figures divided on Iran deal; Turkish pop star arrested; Iranian museum fumigates for bugs; Cairo evicts Nile island residents; and Hamas reacts to Turkish-Israel rapprochement. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
US says oil contracts in Iraqi Kurdistan should be ‘respected’ Some companies have pulled out of the autonomous region following pressure from the federal government, which considers the Kurdistan Region’s oil exports unconstitutional. Iraq
Khamenei heaps praise on Iranian administration After one year in office, Iran’s president has received public support from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni. Iran
Israel sanctions 20 entities in crackdown on Hamas investment Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued orders sanctioning companies in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for allegedly helping finance Hamas. Israel
Exiled Turkish mafia boss Sedat Peker makes new corruption claims Presidential advisers are implicated in an alleged bribery ring targeting business figures. Turkey
Iraqi PM threatens to step down as tensions persist after clashes Following the bloody clash in Baghdad's Green Zone, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi threatened to vacate the position if the conflict continues. Iraq
Hamas fears Turkish pressure will follow Israel-Turkey normalization As Ankara's relations with Israel warm, Hamas is carefully maintaining its presence in Turkey. Palestine