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
Middle East reactions: Al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri killed in US drone strike Saudi Arabia and Israel praised the operation which killed the Al-Qaeda leader; a Syrian jihadist group appeared to offer condolences. Syria
Armenia clings to Turkish peace talks to avert war with Azerbaijan Erdogan has made it clear that progress in the talks is contingent on progress on Armenia’s negotiations for a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Turkey
Iran vows response to US sanctions, ramps up enrichment In response to new US sanctions, Iran has announced its capability to develop atomic weapons. Iran
Israeli army on alert after arrest of Islamic Jihad senior official The IDF has reopened some of the roads blocked off near Gaza, but soldiers remain ready for trouble. Israel
Syria, Iran condemn Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan China is a close ally of both countries but has also made economic inroads recently with US partners in the Middle East. Iran
Netanyahu shapes next Likud Knesset list to his liking Opposition head Benjamin Netanyahu uses all sorts of means to control the composition of the next Likud Knesset list, so that it does not reflect bad on him and that it does not promote his rivals. Israel
Is Russia escalating Jewish Agency crisis because of Israel's stance on Ukraine? Some Israeli security and diplomatic experts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin instigated the Jewish Agency crisis to pressure Israel against selling natural gas to Europe. Israel
Israeli warplanes become every day reality for Lebanese Research based on complaints to the UN Security Council reveals an intrusive and constant Israeli presence over Lebanese airspace, with consequences for public health. Lebanon
US kills al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan The Biden administration sees Zawahiri's presence in Kabul as "a clear violation" of the 2020 Doha agreement with the Taliban, a senior US official said. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey reaps rewards in international standing as first grain ship leaves Ukraine Turkey's diplomatic mediation between Ukraine and Russia could mitigate impact of global food crisis. Turkey
Yemeni citizens anxious as truce set to expire The cease-fire has bestowed a massive relief on millions of Yemeni citizens, who fear a return to conflict. Legacy: Gulf
Iran nuclear talks in Vienna could resume in days The EU's policy chief says Iran will receive significant economic and financial dividends from a nuclear deal. Iran