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
Turkey sends aid to Pakistan after devastating floods The South Asian country is also seeking help from Turkey as well as the Gulf in relation to its economic crisis. Turkey
US Navy thwarts Iran's attempt to capture sea drone in Gulf The seizure comes as the US Navy has increasingly deployed unmanned technology to help monitor weapons smuggling and other maritime activity in Middle Eastern waters. Iran
How realistic is Erdogan’s vision for security belt from Syria to Iraq? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is bent on creating an “end-to-end” security belt along Turkey’s southern borders with Syria and Iraq — a vision too ambitious given the political and topographic conditions of the areas in question. Turkey
Fugitive Turkish cryptocurrency chief arrested in Albania Faruk Fatih Ozer, who reportedly fled with $2 billion in investors' assets, had an Interpol red notice. Turkey
Deadly intra-Shiite violence rattles Iraq’s Kurds Kurds are "deeply troubled by the new cycle of violence in Iraq" and look to be peacemakers. Iraq
Protesters withdraw from Baghdad's Green Zone Following Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's order, his followers have withdrawn completely from the Green Zone and evacuated the parliament building. Iraq
Netanyahu campaign leans on Israel's economic woes Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is focusing his electoral campaign on the failure of the government to lower the cost of living and better working conditions in schools and hospitals. Israel
Iraq's neighbors urge calm in response to Baghdad clashes The situation in Baghdad has calmed somewhat after cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to pull back. Iraq
Iran urges dialogue amid Iraq turmoil Iranian authorities have called on Iraqi factions to seek political solutions as Baghdad streets saw deadly clashes between members of the Shiite Sadrist movement and their Tehran-backed rivals. Iraq
Israel’s Lapid, Mossad chief diverge on emerging Iran nuclear deal Prime Minister Yair Lapid was surprised by the briefings to the press of Mossad Director David Barnea, who accused the West and the United States of generating a strategic catastrophe for the region. Israel
Syrian opposition fears more Russian attacks in Idlib to pressure Turkey Russia has escalated its attack against Idlib, as the Syrian opposition fears that Moscow will resort to further escalation after talks about rapprochement attempts between Turkey and the Syrian government. Syria
Sadr announces hunger strike as 20 killed in Baghdad clashes Clashes between rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Popular Mobilization Units, have left more than 20 dead and hundreds injured. Iraq