UAE purchases 10 military aircraft from Brazil as BRICS ties grow The purchase of C-390 Millennium aircraft for the Emirati air force comes as the UAE seeks to build up its military capabilities amid the war with Iran and boost ties with BRICS member states. United Arab Emirates
Macron casts doubt on Trump’s Hormuz operation as France-US gap grows French President Emmanuel Macron slammed President Donald Trump for launching a unilateral operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz instead of pursuing a coordinated effort with Iran. Iran
Turkey hosts Kuwaiti FM as UAE's OAPEC exit fuels Gulf rift Kuwait's top diplomat visited Turkey as the Gulf rift deepens following the UAE’s exit from OPEC and its affiliated alliances, forcing Ankara to balance ties between Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Turkey
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 By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom 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
US sanctions smuggling network backing Yemen's Houthis The latest Houthi-related sanctions come as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia push the Biden administration to designate the Iran-supported group as a terrorist organization. Yemen
Iran pushes ahead with internet 'protection' bill The revival of a controversial bill in Iran seeks to limit the country’s access to the internet. Iran
US approves plan to build Kuwait’s new defense ministry HQ The $1 billion project is part of Washington's attempt to outmaneuver China's growing influence in the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
Ukraine crisis exposes Turkey’s limits The Ukraine crisis has exposed Ankara’s limits on foreign policy, yet Turkey’s President Erdogan can still score points from rapprochement with the UAE and Israel. Turkey
Turkey’s quota plan for refugees alarms rights activists Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu is advocating quotas for foreigners to prevent ghettos and clashes, but activists worry relocations would cut vulnerable refugees' access to work and services. Turkey
As minister resigns, Israel’s government more fragile than ever The resignation of Minister Eli Avidar reflects the fragility of the Bennett-Lapid coalition, composed of a narrow majority of 61 Knesset members. Israel
Iraqi judges in crosshairs of drug dealers with powerful connections Iraq has seen systematic assassinations of judges since 2003, most of whom were handling investigations into drugs and corruption cases involving influential figures and parties. Iraq
Yazidis react to killing of Islamic State leader The death of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, who committed war crimes against the Yazidi community in Sinjar and supervised the Sinjar genocide in which thousands of Yazidis were killed, sparked varied reactions among Yazidis. Syria
US Navy turns to sea drones in MidEast The US Navy is turning to unmanned tech to help regional states monitor the waters of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt reacts as Ethiopia switches on first Nile dam turbine Cairo continues to call on Addis Ababa to end its unilateral measures when it comes to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Analysis Israel slams possible Iran nuclear deal without criticizing US Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warns of the emerging Vienna agreement on Iran, but observers say Israel has little or no leverage to change it. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics