Analysis Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say. By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist
Analysis Can Trump's economic war ultimately force Iran to compromise? President Trump's new economic offensive comes as Iran is grappling with war damage, tighter oil restrictions and a shrinking ability to absorb another major shock. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
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
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them 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
Hamas captures sophisticated Israeli military balloon Hamas has captured an Israeli military surveillance balloon that accidentaly landed in northern Gaza, and Israel now fears they'll use it against them. Palestine
Militias target again Iraq’s intelligence service Since Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office in mid-2020, extremist Shiite militias have been trying to undermine the National Intelligence Service, which he has been heading since 2016. Iraq
Iraqi health authorities scramble to contain new animal virus outbreak Viral hemorrhagic fever is spread by contact with animals and can constitute a "public health emergency of international concern." Iraq
Syrian refugees recount harassment, abuse in Turkey Syrian refugees in Turkey are living in constant fear among rising attacks, while the Turkish government increases restrictions on them. Syria
Analysis Don’t write off the Iran nuclear deal just yet Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi still wants and needs the JCPOA more than Biden. By Week in Review
Racing the clock: Lapid fears Netanyahu will form alternative government Chances for succeeding seem low, but opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu does not give up on the possibility of establishing an alternative government. Israel
Egypt's Sisi, Arab leaders coordinate positions ahead of Biden visit Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been meeting with several Arab leaders in the lead-up to US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East slated for mid-July. Egypt
Syrian Kurds, Arabs join forces to defend Manbij ahead of Turkish military operation The Syrian Democratic Forces are seeking Arab tribes’ support in Manbij, northeast of Aleppo, ahead of the anticipated Turkish military operation in northern Syria. Syria
Lapid may need to rely on boxing experience in battle with Netanyahu Col. Gadi Eizenkot joining Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid's party could help him in an expected tough election battle against Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
General strike in Tunisia prompts warnings of imminent social tension Most of Tunisia’s sectors were paralyzed June 16 due to the general strike called for by the country’s largest and powerful trade union to pressure the government to respond to the workers’ demands. North Africa
Israeli settlement plan in West Bank stirs tensions ahead of Biden trip US President Joe Biden's visit to the region occurs as Israel escalates military policies in the West Bank and unveils new settlement plans. Palestine
Explainer: How Sadr's Shiite rivals became largest bloc in Iraq's parliament Many of the new members of the Council of Representatives taking the place of the 73 Sadrists who resigned are aligned with Iran. Iraq