Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran warns US against planned Hormuz escort mission By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What UAE’s $3.45B pullback from Pakistan signals about Abu Dhabi's priorities As Abu Dhabi pulls back long-rolled deposits while investing selectively, Pakistan faces an era of more conditional Gulf support tied to strategic alignment. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Under US pressure, will Lebanon repeal Israel Boycott Law? The 1955 law criminalizes all dealings with Israel, raising questions about how far Beirut can even go with its current engagement, currently at the ambassadorial level. Lebanon
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Iron Dome in Gulf: How Iran war turned UAE-Israel defense ties operational By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Analysis How Iran is rebuilding its bruised military as ceasefire masks recalibration By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Without exit strategy, Israel faces emboldened Hezbollah, limited options on Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Another repatriation flight brings Egyptians stuck in Ukraine home Thousands of Egyptian students were in Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion. The conflict has forced many to flee to other eastern European states. Egypt
Putin says Moscow ready to use Mideast fighters in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed the idea of sending volunteer fighters to Ukraine, though there are good reasons for Moscow to refrain from bringing them in from Syria and elsewhere. Russia
Iran missile attack on Erbil goes beyond retaliation for IRGC deaths The attack early Sunday could also be related to both the now stalled Iran nuclear talks and Iraqi government formation. Iraq
Young Egyptian rescues Arab families trapped in Ukraine Social media outlets were abuzz over the past few days with news about Islam al-Ashiri, an Egyptian man who rescued a number of families stuck in Kyiv following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Egypt
Despite unrest, northwest Syria shows baby boom Births are rising in northwest Syria, including in the displacement camps despite conditions often not being suitable for babies and mothers. Syria
Analysis Bennett, Erdogan seek to fill diplomatic vacuum over Ukraine Qatar’s role in Iran diplomacy even more vital with pause in Vienna nuclear talks. By Week in Review
Egypt seeks middle ground between US, Russia as Ukraine fighting rages Cairo remains torn in its position on the Ukraine crisis for compelling financial and other reasons. Egypt
Israel needs long-term plans to absorb Ukrainian immigration wave Israel’s government has made short-term housing plans for the thousands of Ukrainian and Russian Jews expected to immigrate to Israel, but absorption will be a long and difficult road. Israel
Germany’s Scholz behind Israel’s Bennett shuttle diplomacy on Ukraine Associates of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett emphasize that his traveling to Moscow and Berlin and his contacts with all the parties were conducted with the US administration in the picture and with its blessing. Israel
Libya turns on Russia over Ukraine war, but does it matter? Libya’s incoming prime minister initially avoided commenting on Russia’s war in Ukraine. But after Russia welcomed his new government, he turned against Moscow. North Africa
Ethiopia tries to divide Sudan, Egypt in talks over Nile Dam Ethiopian and Sudanese officials have met separately over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, but Cairo and Khartoum are still mostly united in their concerns. Egypt
Jerusalem churches fight new settlement plan Church heads and officials in Jerusalem are fighting an Israeli plan to expand a national park on the Mount of Olives in east Jerusalem, where dozens of churches and Christian sites are located. Palestine