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
US urges Israel to expedite legislation needed for visa waiver A senior official at the US Embassy in Jerusalem warned that if the Knesset waits until after the Nov. 1 elections to pass legislation required for the American visa-waiver plan, the wait for entering the program could be very long. Israel
Turkey frees Palestinian man in Haiti assassination saga A Palestinian man suspected of involvement in the slaying of Haiti’s president last year has left Turkey after winning a protracted legal battle over his detention in the country. Turkey
Drones used by Iran-backed militias are coming from China, US says Senior US official accuses Beijing of playing both sides in the Middle East’s race for drone technology. Legacy: Gulf
Israel launches airstrikes against Islamic Jihad in Gaza Three months before the Nov. 1 elections, and following growing tensions on Gaza border, Prime Minister Yair Lapid decided to respond forcefully to Islamic Jihad threats. Israel
Russia eyes Port Sudan as key naval hub Russia-Sudan ties have deepened since the October 2021 military takeover in Sudan and the Russia-Ukraine war. North Africa
Russian Orthodox Church builds on links with Egyptian Copts Egypt's Giza governorate now hosts an administrative and spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox Church. Egypt
Muqtada al-Sadr complicates Iranian moves in Iraq Iranians from different sides look at Iraq's Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s recent move with suspicion. Iraq
Lebanese mourn, seethe as damaged and neglected Beirut port silos fall Victims of the Beirut blast can only watch as the port’s ruined grain silos – an unofficial monument to those killed and a symbol of denied justice – have begun to collapse after two years of indecision from government authorities. Lebanon
US calls on Yemen's Houthis to release embassy staff US Special Envoy Yemen Tim Lenderking said the rebels' detention of US and UN staff "sends an extremely negative signal." Yemen
Erdogan hopes Putin summit will greenlight Turkey's new Syria operation Ankara’s central role in facilitating the Russia-Ukraine grain deal could strengthen its hand in securing Moscow’s acceptance of a Turkish military incursion. Turkey
After years of hostility, Turkey forges ties with eastern Libya Turkey’s hosting of the head of Libya’s eastern-based parliament sets a meaningful landmark in its bid to reshape its Libya policy. Turkey
Iranian influence turns PKK-weakened Kurdistan into regional battleground Vehicles allegedly carrying Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) commanders continue to be targeted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq amid claims Iran controls both the PKK and Shiite-led forces in oil-rich and disputed Kirkuk. Iraq