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
Record number of Jews ascend Temple Mount on Tisha B'Av Marking the day when according to Jewish tradition both Jerusalem temples were destroyed, some 2,200 Jews visited the Temple Mount Aug. 7. Israel
How Zawahiri's death affects Syrian opposition factions Hayat Tahrir al-Sham did not issue an official statement regarding Ayman al-Zawahiri’s death, although some if the group's leaders expressed condolences on Telegram. Syria
Islamic Jihad retaliates against Israeli strike on Gaza with support of Palestinian factions Egyptian mediation seeks to prevent escalation of conflict. Palestine
As Israeli strikes on Gaza continue, Islamic Jihad responds with missiles Jerusalem is hoping that Hamas will stay out of the conflict with Gaza-based Islamic Jihad, as PIJ and Iranian officials meet in Damscus. Israel
Doctors abandon Gaza hospital on orders of Palestinian Authority Dozens of doctors employed by the Palestinian Authority have left their posts at one of the largest hospitals in Gaza, reportedly on orders from Ramallah. Palestine
Analysis Iran’s long shadow from Vienna to Baghdad and beyond More may be riding on the JCPOA talks than just the fate of Iran’s nuclear program. By Week in Review
Sadr so far cool to UN mediation to break Iraqi political deadlock United Nations special representative Jeanine Plasschaert met with Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, but so far there are no signs of a compromise. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis fear intra-Shiite conflict could spiral to other communities Sunnis and Kurds in Iraq are wary that if unresolved, the fighting among Shiite factions could spill over into their regions. Iraq
IAEA report still key sticking point in Iran nuclear talks Multiple sources report ‘progress’ in Vienna meetings this week. Iran
At summit, Erdogan, Putin still divided on Syria Ankara agreed that part of its natural gas payments to Moscow would be switched to rubles. Turkey
Israel airstrikes kill Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza Detecting military regrouping, Israel’s air force struck this afternoon several Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza and killed the head of its northern district command. Israel